I'm gathering materials, plans and ideas in an effort to combine them all in a worthwhile (first) workbench. Thanks for the feedback so far.

I'm waffling on the tail vise, which is probably a result of my limited (nil) experience with hand tools. While I am acquiring some hand tools to "tune" joinery, I'm likely to continue using electrons. I'm leaning toward a "sliding block" design for a the following reasons:

(1) I don't see "holding" anything in the "end" position with a tradional tail vise; and

(2) I think the occasions I would "hold" something on the front of the bench (or vertical) will be rare.

Please offer your opinions (support or critique) based on experience.

Thanks,
Andy