I have a 12' x 12' roughed-in section of my garage which I wish to dedicate for a workshop. Its primary use will be woodworking, so I'm trying to decide what kind of workbench I should install. My Amish garage builder suggested a laminated maple bench running along one wall. I originally thought its length should be 12', the width of the room (against an outside wall with a centered window), but he can only do 10', because his stationary planer is 10' from the wall of his shop. His estimate is $1500. So, my choices now are:

1. Get a different material and do it myself, perhaps a Formica laminate with plywood or OSB base.

2. My local lumberyard can make a 35" x 12' white pine bench for ~$1200.

3. Accept the 10' limit and mount a woodworkers' vise at the end (estimate $200-$400 for the vise).

I also have a table saw and a miter saw in the same space, both are easily movable to a larger area of the garage if need be.