I originally built these workbenches while living in California. They're made entirely from inexpensive softwood from Home Depot, with several layers of polyurethane finish. Desipite being softwood, their design makes them very rigid and solid, and it's not hard to use a cutting mat to protect the finish.

     The working surfaces are pre-glued laminated sheets from HD, probably manufactured for use in shelving or something. 2x3 boxes are assembled around the lower perimeter of these, fastened with drywall screws. The trestles are made from 2x4s, with bolts and more drywall screws. The outward-pointing diagonal trestle stiffeners are a key feature, as they keep the central area free for legroom. I later found that many of the commonly available cheap plastic shelving units from e.g. Target also fit perfectly down there.

     The only tools required for building the wooden parts of these benches are a circular saw, a drill, and a sander.

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Electronics workbench with binocular microscope and hutch.

 

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Mechanical workbench with Sherline and flex-shaft grinder.

 

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Detail of flex-shaft grinder and articulated magnifier light mount.

 

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Detail of deep-throat adjustable height binocular microscope mount.

 

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Riveted aluminum supports for my Kennedy and Husky toolcribs.

 

Sketches

Hutch	Microscope and Light Arms
Toolcrib Supports