A welding table is a type of

workbench A workbench is a sturdy table at which manual work is done. They range from simple flat surfaces to very complex designs that may be considered tools in themselves. Workbenches vary in size from tiny jewellers benches to the huge benches used by ...

used for holding workpieces during

welding Welding is a fabrication (metal), fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, primarily by using high temperature to melting, melt the parts together and allow them to cool, causing Fusion welding, fusion. Co ...

. They are made of fireproof and electrically conductive materials, and often have good possibilities for clamping workpieces down, providing increased stability, precision and security. In addition to a welding machine and

personal protective equipment Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, elect ...

, they are often used together with accessories such as measuring tools, magnets and angles. Some welders build their own welding tables.

Fire safety

They are often made of

steel Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that demonstrates improved mechanical properties compared to the pure form of iron. Due to steel's high Young's modulus, elastic modulus, Yield (engineering), yield strength, Fracture, fracture strength a ...

, and some welding tables have a

zinc plating Galvanization ( also spelled galvanisation) is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, to prevent rusting. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, in which the parts are coated by submerging them in a bath of ...

to prevent

slag The general term slag may be a by-product or co-product of smelting (pyrometallurgical) ores and recycled metals depending on the type of material being produced. Slag is mainly a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide. Broadly, it can be c ...

from sticking to the table. The table can withstand high temperatures and splashes of hot slag, unlike a

wooden Wood is a structural tissue/material found as xylem in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic materiala natural composite of cellulosic fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin t ...

table which can catch fire more easily. This reduces the risk of risk of fire.

Grounding

They are often connected to ground to prevent voltage leaks during work and to protect the welder from

electrical shocks An electrical injury (electric injury) or electrical shock (electric shock) is damage sustained to the skin or internal organs on direct contact with an electric current. The injury depends on the density of the current, tissue resistance and ...

, but also to prevent

radio noise In radio reception, radio noise (commonly referred to as radio static) is unwanted random radio frequency electrical signals, fluctuating voltages, always present in a radio receiver in addition to the desired radio signal. Radio noise is a comb ...

from the welding process which otherwise can affect nearby electronics.

Ergonomics

Mesa de soldadura con utillajes modulares

Most tables have an adjustable height so that the welder can sit or stand in a comfortable and

ergonomic Ergonomics, also known as human factors or human factors engineering (HFE), is the application of psychological and physiological principles to the engineering and design of products, processes, and systems. Primary goals of human factors engi ...

position. Some also have the possibility for the work surface to be tilted or rotated so that the workpiece can get the desired

position Position often refers to: * Position (geometry), the spatial location (rather than orientation) of an entity * Position, a job or occupation Position may also refer to: Games and recreation * Position (poker), location relative to the dealer * ...

and

orientation Orientation may refer to: Positioning in physical space * Map orientation, the relationship between directions on a map and compass directions * Orientation (housing), the position of a building with respect to the sun, a concept in building des ...

(pose).

Mass, size and mobility

The space available and the size of the things to be welded will dictate the need. Some tables are very heavy and solid, and can withstand heavy workpieces, while other models are lighter and can only withstand lighter workpieces.

Stationary tables

Some tables are heavy, tough and stable, and are meant to be stationary in one place in a

workshop Beginning with the Industrial Revolution era, a workshop may be a room, rooms or building which provides both the area and tools (or machinery) that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods. Workshops were the only ...

, and are capable of withstanding loads from very heavy objects. A permanent welding table usually has a length of at least 2 meters.{{Cite web , title=Why use a welding table? , url=https://bds.lt/news/why-use-a-welding-table , access-date=2024-02-17 , language=lt

Mobile tables

Some tables are portable so that they can be moved around the workshop as needed, for example in the form of mobile trolley tables with lockable wheels. There has been a trend with smaller tables that can be put together to form a longer work surface depending on the shape and size of what is to be welded, following a similar principle as a

sawhorse In woodworking, a saw-horse or sawhorse (saw-buck, trestle, buck) is a Trestle support, trestle structure used to support a lumber, board or plank (wood), plank for sawing. A pair of sawhorses can support a plank, forming a scaffold. In certa ...

. Some tables are extendable so that the size can be reduced or increased as necessary.

References

Welding Workbenches