Harbor Freight has “hardwood” workbenches that might be a good candidate:
They come up for sale periodically if you are price sensitive. A friend has a couple and thinks that they are pretty decent for the money and they look a lot sturdier than those flimsy metal benches. Grizzly also sells butcher block table tops and workbench supports.
If put together well, they are rock-solid (I have one for my Ultimaker 2). Unfortunately, they are only 20.125" deep, whilst the GF is 20.75". Overhang is not an option, IMHO. Your mileage may vary…
The “feet” of the case (tub) appear to be recessed at least an inch from the corners. As long as they are supported, a slight overhang will be OK.
Is it prudent to park the GF right up to a window as @chris illustrated in his original drawing?
I’ve read some postings that described how the GF’s vision system was disrupted by direct sunlight getting into the cutting chamber - dunno to what extent that is/was a problem.
The GF could experience some pretty significant thermal and humidity swings right next to a window.
Some (many?) plastics will experience accelerated aging from direct exposure to UV. Keeping the window closed will dramatically reduce the shorter UV wavelengths, but a significant amount of UVA could still get through.
Good point - I’d forgotten how shallow they are. It would be easy enough to attach a larger piece of flat stock to the HF bench though that idea doesn’t seem too attractive to me for some reason.
You can always run a vent hose the distance to the expulsion point, whether that be a window, or a vent hole cut in the wall, etc. Im considering encasing mine in the same type of double vented area I have my x-carve in.
So I’m planning to position my GF as @takitus describes: off to one side from a window - the same window that I was planning to vent the GF outside. Alas, using a window to vent the GF also obviates one of the key functions of a window to freshen the room air - at least while the GF is running.
Has anybody investigated installing a wall vent (away from the windows of course!) in a residential house? Easy/hard? Are there kits for this?
Standard dryer vent kit should work fine. That’s what I am going to do through my basement block wall. Done it through wood and block walls before. Pretty easy. (Use the metal vent kits for durability)
Finally got my work table laminated. The Glowforge will go on the right side and vent out the window just above. Getting a new electrical circuit and 4 plug outlet installed underneath the counter. It’s finally coming together after many months. This is the reason I have been able to remain patient while waiting. But soon the ‘crib’ will be completely ready…and just waiting for the ‘baby’ to arrive. 
It looks PERFECT!
Very nice!
I love your laser pantry!
Which way do the windows face? I ask because direct sunlight in that window may require a shade of some fashion for that part of the day.
Those particular windows face north, so no sun problem there, but to the left on the other wall (just barely visible in lower corner of that photo) are southwestern facing windows which get ALL the sun in the afternoon in the summer. I did put some Roman shades on those…AND I just bought a portable AC to put in that room, too…which will also have to vent out of one of the other windows. I’m afraid this tiny room will end up looking rather industrial when all is said and done. 
I anticipate you will become very industrious soon… and with your new found talents, walking into that room will bring you joy.
Methinks you are a fortune cookie?
I’m kinda late to this but I just got my area set up. The table in the corner is the perfect size for the glowforge. The cat likes it a little too much right now so I keep a blanket there.
Excuse the messy work bench. I set up my new 3D printer there and haven’t had much time to organize.
I have noticed a lot of people on here have cats lol. At least with a cat they can sit on the glowforge and not hurt it, my “puppy” would more than likely break the lid. She is a very excitable 75 lb toddler lol.
Great thing about a dog is you can act like something great just happened, and your dog will jump up and respond with excitement without any concept of what’s going on - but stands ready and enthusiastic to share your joy and party with you about it!
“What? What is it?? Whatever it is, we got this! Let’s go! Pant, pant, pant…!”
Whereas cats just glare at and announce - this is NOT allowed!
This is not a derailment of the topic, wait for it. I think a lot about how cats evolved in the family home versus dogs. What were cats selected for and what were dogs selected for? Its a great evolutionary/development question. I think dogs were selected by humans. Cats were more self-selected (their meow sounds like babies cry, and the whole toxoplasmoda gondii zombie thing going on with rats) and thus independent. So how does this fit into the shop location? We are making room for a new member of the family with the introduction of the Glowforge. A lot of the pet care behaviors we use will be co-opted for the Glowforge. How we treat our pets could be a great indication of how we will treat our Glowforge.
