I do not have a table saw, so I can't really rip 2x12s down either. I have a circular saw, but I see little chance of a beginner like myself rippping such large boards down accurately enough for a benchtop without creating a nightmare of a planing job.
I should have made it clearer in the OP, but I'm very much a newb with meager means to start things out. I've been buying up tools as I can, and I have enough to build a simple bench and some basic projects now. This isn't my handtool bench for life, it's a beginner bench to get me started. While it is a first bench, I want to put enough thought into the design and materials so that it lasts for a reasonable period of time and functions adequately.
Going to a Dallas store is a possibility if I can talk my brother into it. It probably wouldn't be a problem, but it will be at least a few more weeks before we could do it which would be a bit frustrating for me as I really wanted to get started.
Laminating sheet goods sounds much easier than what I've been planning, but is that really a good workbench top for handtool work? I was under the impression that it wasn't.
Dustin