Workbench questions: Size and surface materials

[Larry Callahan]

Since I now have a real garage (small but real) I want to build a wall with cabinets and a work bench.

What works for you or what do you hate about yours? Should I go 6' or 8'? Steel top? Butcher block? Laminate?

I know I want to bolt a vise to it and the bench to the ground. I also want to be able to hammer on it and bend stuff in the vise without the bench collapsing or moving.

I also need to store a tall chair under it so I can sit at it and solder or?????



Oh, and I think about 20" deep is as far as I can go.