Welders use high heat tools to melt and bond metals and thermoplastics to create joints and seams that connect pieces of various components, accessories, machinery, etc. Because welding involves the use of incredibly high temperatures, the average workbench or table can’t handle the strain and could be burned or destroyed by the process, creating a fire hazard and generally unsafe and unproductive environment.
To accommodate the heat of welding, welders use welding tables as work platforms to safely bond metals and thermoplastics.
Welding Table Overview
Welding tables are platforms designed to withstand high temperatures, regular impact, and plenty of friction. Typically waist height like an ordinary workbench, welding tables range in size from 20” x 40” to more than 6’ x 4’ depending on need. Some welding tables consist of only a heat-proof platform and detachable legs, similar to a saw-horse, while more heavy-duty varieties include additional accessories like shelving, squaring tools, and clamps.
Composition
Welding tables are carefully designed tools that make the tough job of welding a little safer and a little bit easier. While welding tables can vary in terms of exact dimensions and composition, most consist of the same basic parts:
- Surface: The surface of a welding table must have incredible tensile strength, high heat resistance, and the ability to resist denting or warping under heavy impact. Steel is the standard surface material for welding tables, preferred for its extreme durability.
- Body: Because welding projects are often heavy, welding tables must be able to hold large loads without bending or warping. A thick, sturdy body will help to keep the table from moving, and is vital if you are looking for long-term use.
- Legs: Welding tables can be designed with fixed or adjustable legs, though which you choose will depend entirely on your need. Adjustable legs make it easy to change the positioning or height of a welding table, but this could come at the expense of strength. Fixed legs are extremely strong and can withstand heavy loads, but reduce your options in terms of flexibility.
- Feet: Again, depending on your needs, welding tables can be made with either fixed or rolling casters with built-in locks to accommodate moves throughout your facility.
- Accessories: Larger welding tables are often outfitted with a variety of accessories, including built-in clamps, shelving, and trays to catch loose pieces and dropped debris.
Placing a Welding Table
Welding tables should be placed in a well-ventilated area of your facility, preferably in an area away from other personnel to prevent accidental exposure to noxious fumes and gases. Additional ventilation may need to be added to your facility to draw gases out of the general work area, and help to prevent hazardous conditions from occurring or personnel from incurring injury.
Applications of Welding Tables
Welding tables are used for many tasks, including the preparation of components of larger projects, and the completion of smaller projects in their entirety. In addition to general welding functions, welding tables are also used for squaring counters before welding them together, mounting components and pieces for a secure hold, bending jigs, grounding, measuring, and much more.
Considerations When Choosing a Welding Table
Before you settle on a welding table and make the final purchase, there are a few key considerations you will want to make. No matter what your unique needs and preferences are, knowing what you are looking for before you begin to shop will help you to narrow down your options to make the right choice.
Dimensions
Not all welding projects require the use of a 6-foot table, and many welders that work on small components find that smaller tables, around 2 feet in length, are more than adequate in terms of space. To determine how large or small your welding table should be, consider the nature of your work and the constraints of your facility.
If you are working on large projects, you will need a larger table, but it will still need to fit comfortably in your facility with plenty of space surrounding it to prevent creating a fire hazard.
Clamps
Built-in clamps are a common feature of larger welding tables and can help to secure larger pieces and heavier objects for welding. Smaller tables without built-in clamps can be used with removable clamps, though these may not be able to withstand the same weight or pressure as built-in clamps.
Portability
If you can give your welding table a portable home and will be using it daily to accomplish tasks, a larger table may be the best option for you, though this will limit its portability. Thankfully, even large welding tables can be outfitted with locking casters to assist with easy transportation throughout the facility. If you will need to move your welding table regularly, a smaller option with removable or adjustable legs may be your best option.
Materials
Raw steel is the standard choice for welding tables, so don’t compromise in this category. Other materials won’t work nearly as well, can become discolored, can warp, or may degrade quickly, so stick to steel to ensure you are getting the best possible quality.
Extra Accessories
Need extra storage? Want to add special features for your specific work? Be sure any welding table you choose comes from a source that is willing to customize your purchase to accommodate your unique needs.
Customizable Welding Tables
At OnePointe Solutions, every piece of furniture we design and build is tailor-made to fit the needs of our customers, from dimensions and materials to accessories and color selection. Our welding tables are no exception and can be fully customized according to your exact specifications. Why choose to design a welding table with OnePointe Solutions? Are our welding tables that much better than the competition?
The design team at OnePointe Solutions works directly with each client to create a preliminary design. Once you’ve settled on your perfect welding table, we’ll send the design off to our manufacturing team, where your table will be built using the highest quality materials right here in the U.S.
We don’t outsource anything, which means you won’t have to worry about clarifying your needs with a third party company, or losing even an ounce of quality. Upon completion of your welding table, the OnePointe Solutions team will personally deliver your purchase and help to install it to ensure it is the perfect fit.
When customizing your welding table, you’ll choose everything from color (we have more than a dozen options) and size to accessories and foot types. We offer dozens of options that can create a virtually infinite variety of finished welding tables and are happy to work closely with our clients to develop the most practical, affordable, and high-quality solution for their facility.
Need A Welding Table?
Visit OnePointe Solutions online today or request a quote to find out how we can help furnish your lab or industrial facility.