Quote Originally Posted by Assaf Oppenheimer View Post
the split top is built with a removable partition which should lie flush with the top so that when you use it your theoretically not loosing the advantages of a continuous top. when you remove it, you can pull clamps through it to get greater clamping reach from the middle of the top. If you move it, it can rest at a higher step creating a "wall" to use to plane against. Also depending on how you design it, you can use the partition as a tool tray.

I just finished building my version of this bench, pretty closely following Benchcrafted's plans but using mostly power tools (and some hand tools). I left the center partition sitting just below the surface of the tops to ensure it couldn't possibly interfere when in the "down" position, and that is working very nicely.

With holdfasts I haven't yet found the need to use clamps through the split, but when the need arises, I'll be happy for it. And, handling the top as two pieces was a BEAST... joined together it would be brutal.