Just my 2 cent worth...... as a welder by trade but also a jack of all trades (carpentry, plumbing and electrical - don't like to pay for things I can do myself
) I would be on the side of metal stands simply for the fact that the material you can use is smaller in size and stronger over time ( wood rots and gets moldy) This allows more room for all our goodies under the tank. As for skinny the stand there are many avenues such as hinges (welded or screwed on) strong magnets are the one's that come to mind. But to each is there own and what others like to use for building materials is what they use.
Again just my 2 cent's.
Edit:
I do give props to some if not all of the wood stands I have seen in person and on here for jobs well done. There is some GREAT craftsmanship displayed and you all should be proud of your work.