Here's a view based on my shop. You'll be way different, but might find some ideas. My main theme is to get working, get functional, with simple crude basics. Don't try for
art. You'll make way better art after slogging through the process a bit. If you have worked a few years in a production shop and plan to create one of your own, most of this probably doesn't apply. I work what would charitably be called a "farm shop".
Metal tends to make an impression on wood benches. As in, they'll never be the same again. That's not necessarily a problem - life is hard and the job of a bench is very hard. However, setting the bench on fire is not helpful and that can happen with certain metal projects.
How do you work? IOW, do you leave projects lying half finished for days or weeks? While you get on to absolutely "YES Boss, Right Away" type projects. I do. I have 3 or 4 (or more) projects going at the same time, some waiting on money, some waiting on paint to dry, some waiting because the stove just quit and _that_ is more important. That requires more table space and separate tables often is helpful there.
I weld only occasionally and do it outside, ad hoc. I braze more often and do it inside on my main assembly table but I'm always afraid to leave afterwards - did I smell smoke? If you do hot metal much at all, a table with at least 1/8" metal top (before you hit wood) is better. I guess you could keep a piece of plate on hand to put on the table to protect it. Or a dedicated metal table. This is stuff you just need to keep your eyes open for at farm auctions. Or make yourself if you going to do a lot of metal fab. But metal work does way better on metal tables.
With me, light metal abuse happens on the main bench with the vise. If you set up multiple tables, try to get another (good) vise or two. But the table has to be strong enough to mount the vise well.
Another space taker is a
free standing 1hp grinder. I'm not a machinist or anything, but I use it enough that I recommend getting a decent one if available. It's probably more important than the table saw. Again, since it gets used often, it deserves it's own floor stand; also because that keeps it from cluttering up the bench. A pedestal type (as opposed to the splayed leg type) takes less space and is good enough for civilians. I think you'll find a grinder gets used a LOT.
Table saw extensions with folding legs that store away may be more practical than thinking you will clear that work table just to help rip a piece of sheet stock. I actually find clamps, straight edge and a good circular saw do a better job. For my use, a 10' x 18" lane behind the saw (alley through the material storage area), and 8' clearable in front, do pretty well. I have a couple pieces of 1x that clamp to studs cross wise at table height behind the saw if I'm going to do a lot of ripping. What this basic setup offers is a saw with a 2' square foot print that does yeoman service and I can move around if I need to. The chop saw lives against a wall with a drill press on the same wall about 4' away. If I'm dealing with long trim or something the drill press table gets set to the saw height. Usually the table between them serves as another work surface...
An assembly table, about the size of a door (! hmmm...) and higher than most people would think - say 40" or so - is a very useful thing. Bench dogs and such are nice, but door on tall _strong_ saw horses with half dozen clamps that actually work, with their pads still intact, will a become a major, productive and necessary surface. One that you didn't spend much on and won't cry (much) to see die. Also, it will move easily... Temporary storage, buckets, rolling cabinets, tool boxes, crap, underneath.
This is redneck cheap/cheerful. For a while it can give you a complete working shop while leaving you to accumulate a little more money and refine your understanding of what your _work_ needs and wants. That only comes by slaving in your space doing the stuff you want the shop to do. I know it doesn't quench your desire for a major work of art (craftsman bench), but the bench will be the better for the seasoning when it comes.
The most/only really important thing for the bench to do is hold a solid standard vise while you crank or pound on some helpless piece of material. And that can be glued and screwed from 2x6 in a day or two. Then used for
firewood with no regret when the time comes. The top s/b 2x, but you put 3/8" ply overlay on top and replace it someday. Cross braces, heavy. That's abouat it. Space under. Old filing cabinets or such do pretty well as tool holders. Secure a 6-8" "splash guard" along the back of the bench so you're not digging for run-aways along the back wall all the time. I think my bench is 8', but I've only ever used about 4' of it because the family seems to find it suitable for various things... Haven't seen the other end in years. <g> Longer work just requires a little shoving around and listening to the moans from the former tenants.
IOW, things can be flexible and still work well. Holding the bench off the back wall about 8" and putting a 12" shelf on the wall along the top of your "splash guard" gives you a place to put "tools in use". Or accumulate piles of crap. Depends. The space behind the bench can be good material storage for medium long stuff.
At least as important as the the furniture is the light. (Really) You can't have too much. And the power. At least 4 2-gang outlets spaced about. More would be lots better. Unless you're working Amish with just hand tools? Even then, probably.
Materials storage within reach is pretty important too, but that's a layout thing.
Best luck. It's all lotsa fun.
Rufus
2
