There are plenty of useful articles about which tools to invest in to start woodworking at home, but you won't get far without a decent workbench. I've been a carpenter and remodeler for over 25 years, and I've built a few benches in my time. Today we're going to look at what I think are the best materials to give you a reliable surface to work on. A poor workbench top makes it difficult to make pieces well, and if you're put off from the get-go, you're more likely to give up. Some of my suggestions aren't cheap, but other materials are very affordable and widely available.