Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
I have just one significant criticism: your bench seems to be missing a tool well. I've disliked workbenches without this (to me) essential feature somewhere for almost my whole furniture making career, because without one there's nowhere to put your tools where they are relatively safe and hard to knock off.

Hi Richard

I totally agree with you. I am also ahead of you on this.

There will be a tool well ... although I am not sure that this is the correct name for what I plan to build.

The main arguments against the traditional tool well are that it (a) gets filled with shavings and tools get lost inside, (b) the tool well restricts the use of clamps (which is a reason, no doubt, behind the design of a "split top bench", and (c) the well is never deep enough to keep the tools out of the way of planing, etc.

With a wide bench, generally placed against a wall, there is some room for tools at the far end. I have always dislikes doing this, which eventuated after I removed the tool well on the old bench (it disintegrated from age).

What I have planned is a tool well that will attach to the wall at bench height. The bench is about 12" or so away from the wall, so there is space for a well, and this will not restrict the use of clamps across the bench, and on each side. The bench is 21" wide, so there is no difficulty reaching across. Essentially, it will be a long, low dovetailed box for planes, etc. At the end there will also be a few slots to hold chisels that are in use.

Any thoughts?

Regards from Perth

Derek