Haywire, I was browsing on the Miller Projects (I think) site last night, and saw a table that a guy made using flat stock - maybe 3" wide - in a "slat" design, rather than a single plate. He had maybe 3/4" gaps between the slats, and liked the convenience of being able to clamp a workpiece at various location across the top. I haven't priced anything but this may be a more economical way to make a top, and may give you more options at the salvage yard. While his slats were uniform in width, they wouldn't have to be.