This article amused me as I have been using a very similar one for some years. Worse eyesight caused me to use it more. Mine was made from recycled veneered blockboard. This did create a very stable platform on my record 112 vice. I also fitted a small vice. I use it for both small wood and metal work. I put "L" shape wood moulding around the edge. The use of blockboard does create a more solid platform than MDF.
The idea came from Harold Hall who described something similar that he used, sans vice.
I haven't painted mine, but like the idea of a white surface, so will when I have a spare 5min.