I'm not sure where to post this so since the bench is intended to hand tool use I'll take a chance here.
I'm building a new bench more or less following Garrett Hack's Workbench of a Lifetime lamination approach for the bench top. I was able to find some very nice and affordable European beech 5/4 boards ranging from 8 to 14 inches wide. Rather than rip them into a uniform narrower size I chose (for better or worse) to leave them wide and arranged the three layers so the boards edges overlap. Everything has been ripped so the overall width of each layer is within a 64th of 23-1/4". The finish length of the "slab" will be 91" without the tenons for the breadboard ends.
Hack's approach to glue-up was to face glue the first three boards with the shorter middle board forming a "groove". The next three boards are again face glued with the middle board forming a "tongue" which fits into the previous three board's groove.
I had planned to approximate this approach even though I only have three boards per layer. However, in my dry fits on each layer, the panels are coming up very nice and flat so I'm thinking why not just do three flat panel glue ups and then face glue them one at a time to make my three layer top. I would "smother" each glue up with cauls and with lots of additional clamps along the edges. My biggest concern is clamp pressure in the middle of the top. I'm going to use Titebond Extend which should give me ample time to get things lined up for clamping.
What are the risks with the three flat panel approach? I've read other posts here where folks here have followed his approach to the lamination and it would be good to hear their thoughts on this too. If I need to provide more info just ask. This is my last bench and I want to get it as right as I can.