The more I think about this the better I like it: a bench about 18 or
20 inches high, about 10 inches wide, and maybe 6 feet long, with a
complement of vises (although the true Japanese beams do not have
vises).

I think one could get creative and use pipe clamps or even a bench
vise turned vertically for really strong hold-down clamps.

One could also _not_ go for the super heavy bench top so it's easily
moved - since you'd be sitting on the darn thing while planing, your
own body mass counts....



[snip]