Welding tables for cobot & robot welders shop UK right now: Materials Used in Welding Tables – The choice of materials in welding table construction is a factor that directly impacts the table’s durability, heat resistance, and overall performance. In this section, we’ll explore the most common materials used in welding tables to help you understand their advantages and suitability for your welding needs. Steel Welding Tables Advantages: Durability: Steel welding tables are renowned for their exceptional durability and longevity, making them ideal for heavy-duty welding tasks. They have a smooth surface and are spatter-resistant with a nitriding treatment. Steel welding tables are a good option for people who mainly do TIG work. Or people who do a 50/50 mix of MIG and TIG we recommend steel tables with a nitriding treatment. Heat Resistance: They can withstand high temperatures without warping or deteriorating, ensuring a stable work surface. Stability: Steel tables offer superior stability, which is crucial for precise welding.
Cast iron offers excellent surface flatness and stability after machining, which is crucial for precision welding. Its density and the sheet mass employed minimizes table warpage or distortion under heat, maintaining a flat work surface. Cast iron welding tables are naturally self-dampening and provide excellent stability due to their high mass and density. They’re less susceptible to vibrations and distortions during welding. Cast iron is also known for its strength and durability, particularly in compression. Cast iron has better natural corrosion resistance than carbon steel, but it’s still prone to rusting if not properly maintained, especially in damp environments.
Heat Resistance – Welding tables are designed to withstand high temperatures. They won’t warp or degrade under the intense heat generated during welding, ensuring your work surface remains flat and level. Protection – They protect your work environment by containing sparks, slag, and hot metal, preventing them from damaging your floor, equipment, or other materials in your workspace. Workpiece Alignment – Welding tables can often accommodate various welding fixtures and clamps, allowing you to securely hold and align your workpiece, ensuring precise welds. In the video below we show you how a good clamp setup can ensure you get very accurate results on your welding jobs. Different Types of Welding Tables – Before we dive deeper into choosing the right welding table, it’s essential to understand that not all welding tables are created equal. There are various types available, each tailored to specific needs and preferences. Find additional info on modular welding tables online shopping UK.
Casters: Mobility First – Of course, casters are wheels attached to the bottom of the table legs, allowing it to roll. Every different manufacturer has different casters, and this is an entire discussion on it’s own! I am very partial to the ones we offer, which are “total lock” style – meaning they will neither roll, or swivel when locked. When to Use Casters: Small Shops: Flexibility to move the table when space is tight. Multi-Use Workspaces: Tables can be moved out of the way for other tasks. Temporary or Mobile Welding: Rolling tables make it easier to move between work areas or outside. Both Options: The Best of Both Worlds – A combination setup with casters and leveling feet – typically retractable casters that raise or lower to engage wheels or stabilize the table. When to Use Both: Heavy Tables That Need Occasional Mobility: Move the table when needed, then stabilize it for work. Precision and Flexibility: Achieve rock-solid stability when working and mobility when rearranging the shop. Large or Dynamic Shops: Tables that need to move between stations or processes.
What is a Welding Table? At its core, a welding table is a specialised work surface designed explicitly for welding tasks. It provides a stable and heat-resistant platform where you can securely position your workpieces and welding equipment during the welding process. Welding tables are purpose-built to withstand the intense heat, sparks, and occasional molten metal that are the result of welding. Why Are Welding Tables Essential? Welding tables play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of your welding projects for several reasons: Stability – Welding tables are exceptionally stable, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your workpiece remains in place during welding. This stability is crucial for maintaining precise welds, especially when working on intricate, detailed or large projects.
Aluminum, being a non-ferrous metal, eliminates the risk of iron contamination when welding stainless steel components. It is generally a much more economical option for shops working exclusively with stainless or aluminum. It offers excellent corrosion resistance and will never, ever rust. It’s non-magnetic, which can be advantageous in certain welding applications. Aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity, which helps dissipate heat during welding and reduces the likelihood of distortion in the workpiece. Aluminum is a much softer material compared to steel, and is prone to scratches and dents from heavy usage. Tooling could also potentially put enough pressure on the surface to damage it since whatever is being welded is likely stronger than aluminum. It’s non-magnetic, which can be a disadvantage in certain welding applications. Aluminum welding tables will always be more expensive than carbon steel. For applications where a heavy table offers benefits, aluminum won’t provide the same level of stability. Aluminum tables are generally less common, potentially limiting options.