I recently rescued an OLD beech butcher block countertop from the landfill. It was found when a laundromat near my work was remodeled, it was supporting 2 washing machines over a weak section of floor. It has survived remarkably well, and I want to make a workbench out of it. It is quite large (75″x 24″x 2 1/2″) and VERY heavy. It is structurally sound (glue joints are solid) but uglier than a mud fence. What was at one time the “top” has been hollowed out somewhat from years of butchering and it is generally beat up, so I plan to take it to have it planed flat. And since I don’t have room for a 6’3″ bench, I want to trim it to length. My questions are as follows:

Is there a minimum thickness I should stay over for strength?

What is an “ideal” length?

It currently has 3 threaded rods running through it at the center and ends. Will cutting the end sections off and eliminating the end rods run the risk of the top splitting over time? Would breadboarding the “new” ends be as strong?

Other than good solid legs and the requisite vices and dog holes, is there anything else I should consider adding?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Woodhoarder