Building your bench certainly had skill building potential. But it's also an opportunity to have a bench that has a design that matches your own workflow, preferred woodworking techniques including alignment/hold-downs and size. Any bench you buy will be a compromise in some way, shape or form. Of course, that means you can't just "dive in" without giving the project some careful thought and doing some planning. I will add one specific comment about a feature that is important to me for work surfaces in my shop...adjustable height. Think about it...
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...