For the last 15 years, I've done all my work on a 46"x24" sheet of 1/4" tempered glass that fits over my workbench. I'm careful not to drop anything heavy on it, and the glass has held up well. When not in use, I cover it with thin cardboard. Paint and glue (even CA) can be scraped off with a razor blade or wiped off easily. It's impervious to all glues, all types of paint, is easy to keep clean, and perfectly level. I use sheets of light colored construction paper underneath the glass, or I can place photos, instructions, or plans plans under the glass for quick reference. I can cut tape, separate small parts, solder and even slice styrene on my glass top. I've chipped the glass on the edge once, and the Speedy Glass folks (where I bought it) fixed it for free. I also use a small cutting pad, and just to keep things neat, I have a smaller piece of picture frame glass with a cork backing I use for creating a pool of CA for large glue jobs. I can even do light hammering (as in using a punch) on my bench glass as long as there is a cutting mat underneath the work. I paid $27 for my glass bench top in 2004, and it's been worth every penny. I highly recommend it, but make sure you buy tempered glass at least 1/4" thick. Other types of glass can easily crack.
VR, Russ

Greg, I forgot to add that my modeling workbench is in a 3 car unheated garage. I have a heavy duty tool bench right next to it, that I do automotive, household or garden type work on, so that's the "heavy lifting bench". The hobby bench repairs jewelry for my wife, electronic soldering, building models, and light repair work of all types.The glass is held in place by 5" sides and back, and a 1/4" lip at the front (keeps it from sliding, although it's heavy enough it doesn't move much). Since it's in the unheated garage, and winters can get cold where I live, I have a separate 26"x18" piece of tempered glass that I move indoors and use on my wife's sewing desk (when she's not using it). This is a more portable glass top I can move around to where I need it. If you stick with tempered 1/4" glass, it will be rugged enough for most work. If you're using it on a desk, I recommend getting a slightly smaller piece than the desk top-- whatever you do, don't let it overhang the edge of the desk, as that can lead to damaged edges. And make sure the glass folks grind the edges so they aren't sharp.
VR, Russ

Russ That sounds like a great idea. You mentioned that you got the glass at Speedy Auto Glass. i did not think that they did flat glass. I will have to check in on them for a piece. Not as big as yours but I will try them.