Here is my planned set-up/workflow: I work with previews in Lightroom, back up my LR catalogue regularly as I exit, and only access my master-images when I wish to export/print/copy an image.
Does "previews" mean smart previews, with your master images stored on an un-plugged in external drive? Or something else? (everyone works with previews in the Library module, there is no other way to use the Library module)
Why are you so strict as to state that you "only access my master-images when I wish to export/print/copy an image". It sounds like you plan to keep your master images offline or on a disconnected external hard drive and only plug the drive in to export/print/copy (even though there is no "copy" in Lightroom). While this will work, this seems unnecessary, if I am understanding your words properly. This seems like a lot of extra work, unplugging the drive and then plugging it in when needed, especially since you desire "ease and convenience of work-flow". You could just leave the external drive plugged in, which is much less work. (Yes, if you are using the external to be portable and move from computer to computer, you would indeed have to unplug and re-plug as needed, but none of your description indicates that this is the reason...)