I just beginning to leatherwork and am planning a small workbench for my apartment. I plan to use 2x6 for the frame and 4x4s for the legs and sink the 1-foot by 1-foot granite to be level with the bench surface.
My question is; what's the best material to use as a bench surface?
I was planning to use 3/4" A/B plywood. My brother-in-law is an advocate of particle board because it's always flat and he can push the leather against the edge when sewing and the needle will go into the particle board easily. But I'm concerned with the particle board chipping and since the bench will be a fixture in my small apartment, not in the basement or a garage, I think the plywood will look better and I can stain it. I see some folks are using kitchen counters but since my bench will be about 34' wide, with an end leaf of 18", and 22' deep, I'd be waisting a lot of countertop. Plus they all seem to be particle board.
Thanks in advance for any help and opinions.