MIG welding the butt joints with 0.35" solid-core wire (no flux) and 75% argon, 25% CO₂ at 20 cubic feet per hour at about 22 volts, 90 amps, and a feed rate of about 360 inches per minute. Since most of these welds were hidden, I experimented a lot with various settings, some more successful than others. (Note the dog hair — everywhere in the house).

Apparently I can't weld straight, but it doesn't make any difference. This one has far better penetration than the one above, but it's probably weaker because of the misalignment.

Grinding.

Light sandblasting. I did the visible surfaces only.

Primed.

Visible surfaces painted (not that you can tell). Conveniently I can overspray onto the wood chips all I want without any drop cloth because the colors are the same (and the dogs churn them up frequently).

The levelers. The feet had to be ordered online, but the mount brackets are mine.

I decided the vise and anvil go better on the left side, so I had to add supports over there.

All done, including a 4' power strip that's not visible underneath. The particle boards behind the bench are from the divider-cabinet project that was being neglected.

And occupied. Not bad for a few days and about $100.