Workbench.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't use kitchen worktop as a garage
workbench, bearing in mind a 3m lump costs a mere 35 quid?

 

Only problem I had was when mounting a small vice - one with a handle
screw to grip the workbench, it just dug into the chipboard and worked
itself loose nearly every time I used it. Could be fixed with enough
effort I suppose, but I need a bigger vice anyway.

 

That won't be a problem, I haven't got a child's toy for a vice...

 

I added a square of checkerplate steel to provide an area for walloping ****
out of things. The compressed sawdust type stuff breaks up a bit.

 

I've had a wood lathe and a bench grinder attached to a 2.5m length of
worktop for twelve years. I use the bench surface for all sorts of
stuff as well as storing wood shavings and there isn't a mark on it,
except where I've drilled it.

I chose it for cheapness, but it has been surprisingly robust. Because
of the potential for vibration, it is double thickness and is securely
screwed to a decent bench benath it, but it hasn't degraded in any way.
I'll be swapping it for a couple of 4m lengths soon, as I'm upping the
size of my lathe - but I see no reason to use different material.

I have an anvil for that.

 

I do. And my worktop was free.

 

Especially when you spill battery acid all over it.

 

Railway sleepers are the sensible way to go.

http://www.uksleepers.co.uk/product/New_Untreated_Oak_Sleeper

You'll have a much more solid bench and you'll be able to take the
piss out of the pikeys who use worktops.