Desk top style or cabinet style?

[gofaster]

I agree with Tony about using steel for a frame. I didn't and I already ran into problems getting some corners and edges right. My forward vision may be lacking, but I am developing a good sense of hindsight. As I mentioned earlier, I'm looking at this more and more as project #1, and thinking a lot about following this project with a second bench.
I did choose stainless steel plate for the power cord entry, drilled for individual cordgrips for each motor feed. I'm using a motor controller to feed a distribution panel, with an individual breaker for each motor.

[larrycavan]

My bench is 13 years old. When I built it, I added some 1x1 supports in the corners, around the rear door panel and under the orifice plenum shelves. It's held up beautifully.

Every seam was glued & screwed, then the bench was painted with epoxy paint after I priced out laminate and wrote it off.

A year ago I repainted it and did the inside as well this time.

Steel frames are strong...no two ways about it but if you use good material to begin with, cut it straight, glue it, screw it, add some 1x1 supports to stressed areas and seal all the seams with GE Silicone II, it ought to be plenty strong and air tight...

It's worked for me for 13 years now...

JMO

[Tony]

I am now on my third water manometer orifice type bench, and am completely happy with the method of steel frame/MDF bolted construction. There has never been a single leak from the first moment it was powered up and leak tested.

If I ever get off my backside and begin construction of bench number four, the only thing I would do any differently, would be to go to an electronic pitot style bench.

[gofaster]

Thanks for the post, Larry. It's a comfort to know that a bench with all-wood construction has held up and performed properly for such a long time.
There are so many ideas to consider on the forum, that sometimes I find myself second guessing too much. Just want to get it right!