I read all the responses. A long time ago I had resources and not much money. Started out with bench frame of 2.5 angle welded, 6' long about 2' wide. Mounted a couple metal drawers under neath. Acquired a piece of 1 1/2 particle board top, sealed with paint. A piece of paper machine felt cover top gave a little padding. Later added pattern makers vise when I started working on black powder guns. Top finished off at 28" wide and 36" off the floor. Height seemed to work for me standing or setting at a stool. Noticed I had put 3" wood blocks under my Atlas 12-36 lathe. That worked ok also. The bench is heavy enough it does move. I think the 1 1/2 top was as heavy as the bench frame. I have heavy duty bench vise, mounted to pedestal to the floor. Strong enough to remove barrels from actions. Top of this vise is 47" from floor. I am 5'11" tall.
