I have had lots of work benches since 1965. I have used desks, dining-room tables, plywood, etc, etc. I usually built my own work bench. I am an old-school modeler. I grew up kit building and flying C/L planes and then moved on to R/C planes. I am returning to the hobby and finally came to the realization that I need yet another good work bench. I think the work bench is a personal decision and one should use whatever works best for themselves. The possibilities are limit-less

I thought I would share the direction I am going just for information purposes for those trying to get some ideas.

My design criteria:

1. A form and shape that I can sit at like a desk. In other words my legs go underneath. Top face = 30" elevation
2. To be placed long side against an interior wall
3. Wide enough that I can put skinny shelving up the wall
4. Quick. Not a lot of built time involved

I decided on a utility table with a hollow-core interior-door laying on top.

Here is the utility table
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Cosco-72-in...ble/1000638149

Here is the hollow-core interior door. The doors come in different widths. I bought a 32" wide. The link shows a 36" wide
https://www.lowes.com/pd/JELD-WEN-Fl...-80-in/4363179

I noticed the door has a very fine finish. So I have plans to cover it with paper to make the finish last longer

Here is the paper covering process

Here is the paper I plan to use. I am planning to use double thickness. I will put down two sheets
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Hope this produces some ideas that will work for you personally