Originally Posted by
Mike Baker 2
I've been reading this thread, and learned a lot, so thanks to everyone involved.
Oskar, I don't have a shop, or to put it more correctly, my shop is my back yard.. So room is not an issue. But I still chose a 5 foot bench, mainly because I was limited by my supply of wood. But also because I had no clue what I might be building, and no practical idea of what I wanted or needed in a bench. I thought, keep it simple; just a simple bench. I can get into specifics with my next bench, after I've had the experience to know what I really need.
If I were you and could swing it, I'd build a simple, reasonably small bench from inexpensive wood(pine construction lumber?), 5 or 6 ft., and work it for a few months. Save the good wood to build a permanent bench, after you know what you need and what working in the space you have dictates.
MHO, and I know I'm a new guy, but that would be my approach.