Lou, you seem to be going toward a traditional design. From your opening post I thought you were looking to:
Mate, modern to me means that you might consider the use of modern materials? Want that trestle leg design - a steel leg might be the go, don't want to see steel, clad it.Quote:
re-define the concept of the modern workbench. For the traditionalists out their this thread is not going to be for you!!!
Mini's idea of a "multi top" could be worth a second thought as well.
If the base benchtop has a centre well, then a "drop over" top would be easily to incorporate, and easily 'fixed' in position. Even have a melamine/masonite sheet that you can flip over. One side glue up, the other side for working. Or throw a few holes in the permanent top and have dowel locating pegs to hold the other tops down.
Why not start the 'design' process by listing the things that are important.
Height - is the height for working the same height for other uses? i.e. feed table for the jointer/thicknesser (a replaceable top might help out here if the height difference is not too great)
Portability - does it breakdown for when you move? will you want a 'kick down lever' so you can lift it to slide in a castor frame?
Drop in insert for a router?
Maybe listing what you want to do will help set some parameters?
Sorry if I seem to be criticising, think you are doing a fine thing - just my lack of social graces showing. :rolleyes: