Quote Originally Posted by ken hatch View Post
Mathew,

My portable benches have 8/4 Beech slabs. The current build's slab is laminated from slats of 8/4 Beech and is ~90mm, just over 3 1/2", thick. It is one heavy sucker. I've used both DF and Poplar as base wood and both work well, I've Ash on order for this base but so far no joy. I may fall back on either one of the Oaks or Maple..

ken
How do you like working with the tool tray? I've been sourcing a slab top and think I've finally found a 3'' piece of clear ash that is 20'' or so wide. Originally I was thinking of building with 2 12'' slabs and no tray, but now that I have found this piece I'm considering a 4" tray. Working on my English bench I clearly only use the first 12 or so inches for work and generally just collect tools on the back 12".