One of the most important things you will need in your welding workshop or garage is a reliable welding table. A sturdy and reliable table with the right thickness is very important to make your job safe and easy.
In general, a welding table top should be 3/8th inch thick. Some welders may prefer thinner tabletops of about 1/4th inch thick. Anything thinner than 1/4th inch could cause the tabletop to warp due to the high welding heat. Welding tables should always be thick and strong to support heavy loads and handle the high heat generated during welding.
In this guide, we cover:
- Why are welding tables so thick?
- Why do welding tables have holes in them?
- Best welding tables on the market.
And more…
Contents
Why are Welding Tables So Thick?
Every welder needs to invest in a sturdy and reliable welding table. It is one of the first investments they need to make. Whether you’re making your own tables or buying the pre-made ones, it is important to ensure it is nice and thick.
Welding tables have to be thick to support the heavy items you weld. Many welders also hammer their projects on the table. That’s why a welding table needs to be thick – so it can handle the high heat and the heavy wear and tear involved in the process.
Thin tables can easily warp due to the high heat generated during welding so you may want to choose a table anywhere between ¼ inch to 3-inches in thickness.
What thickness should you opt for?
The choice of welding table thickness will entirely depend on the kind of welding you do. If you do a lot of heavy-duty welding, it is best not to go for anything less than 2-inches. This is the only way to ensure that the table holds up to the rigors of work.
A majority of the experienced welders recommend a 3/8th inch thick table. This thickness assures minimum warping and damage and is best suited for medium to heavy-duty welding.
For beginner welders working in their home or garage, a suitable welding table top can be around 1/4 inch thick with a 1/8th inch iron frame. (I’m assuming you won’t do too much hammering on it).
This will keep the table light enough to carry in a pickup truck should the need arise. It will not take up too much space and can be used infrequently.
Why Do Welding Tables Have Holes in Them?
Welding tables have holes in them for clamping the objects down.
Welding tables with holes are called acorn tables. Their holes are about 5/8th of an inch or 16 mm in dimension. These standard dimensions let you clamp your job with standard clamps and are also compatible with a variety of other tools. Clamps help you keep the piece flat that you are welding against the table.
When you weld something, it is also prone to warping due to the high heat involved. Many items tend to get bent out of shape or end up with the wrong dimensions.
The table’s holes and clamps let you hold the item down firmly so you can hammer it back into the right shape or dimension. I often move the clamps to different holes to keep my workpieces secure.
What Is a Good Size for a Welding Table?
The size of a welding table will mainly depend on the availability of space in your workshop/garage, the kind of welding you do, and whether or not you need a stationary or a portable table.
A portable welding table of 3 feet by 4 feet is a good size to have. It is not enormous which makes it easy to store and keeps it portable. It can easily fit in a pickup truck and can be moved around.
This size also lets you put a lot of materials and tools on the table and, at the same time, isn’t too big that it requires you to put your back to it to push it. You also won’t be banging into it all the time. You can also fit a 3 x 4 ft table through most shop doorways, which is an added advantage.
If your garage is small, you certainly don’t want a 4 x 8 ft table. That would overpower the workspace. However, if you do have the space and do not need portability, then you can go in for the 4 x 8 ft table.
I’m currently fabricating an outdoor welding table from scrap material cut from a truck’s tool rack. Once the frame is completed and in place, I will finish it with a 1/4″ piece of sheet metal I picked up from a junkyard.
Because I intend to do some heavy work on this table I will weld braces to support the top. When you’re choosing a table’s top dimensions, you must consider the height of your table. If you are tall (6 ft and over), you need a table with long legs so you can be comfortable sitting and standing when working.
Does a Welding Table Need to Be Flat?
Yes, flat welding tables offer several advantages over non-flat welding tables. These are:
Precision
Welding jobs need a lot of precision and accuracy. Without these elements, the weld could be ruined and the items can be permanently damaged. A flat welding table is considered to be almost 700% more precise than a non-flat table.
Higher efficiency
You simply cannot weld on a non-flat or uneven surface. If you want to do the job right the first time around, then a flat table is a must. A flat welding table helps enhance productivity and can also save you time by getting the job done right in fewer attempts.
Better safety
Welding is inherently dangerous. With an uneven or non-flat table, you increase the risk as you just aren’t in the position to clamp the item down properly. This could cause hot items to fall or fly, hurting you or those around you. This can be very dangerous given the high temperatures involved.
Flat tables enhance safety by helping you firmly clamp the items down flat against the table. This is very important for your safety as well as for those around you.
Best Welding Tables on the Market
Strong Hand Tools Steel Welding Table
Need a table for hobby-level TIG welding? Then the Strong Hand Tools Steel Welding Table is what you need. It is easy to assemble and its sturdy 14 gauge thick steel top ensures it is tough enough to handle high heat.
The top also comes with slots for clamping objects firmly. It has perpendicular guide rails for clamping, stopping, etc. The table tilts in the horizontal, 30 degrees, or folded position. It also has an adjustable height so people of different heights can use it easily.
Strong Hands Tools steel welding table is also compatible with other Strong Hand Tools welding products.
Features
- 26″ to 32″ height adjustability
- 14 gauge thickness
- Casters for mobility
- 3 x 1.1” slots for clamps
- Table top size – 30” W x 20” L
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Value for money
- Great for gifting
- Sturdy
- Convenient and versatile
Cons
- Pre-threaded holes that hold the side brackets need re-threading
How it compares
Strong Hand Tools Steel Welding Table is affordable, easy to put together, and height-adjustable. Its 14 gauge thick steel top can handle high heat easily. Being lightweight and foldable makes it easy to carry around. You can easily TIG weld on this reliable welding table. For under $150, you get a sturdy and functional table you can count on.
Dewalt Adjustable Height Portable Steel Welding Table and Work Bench
Dewalt welding tables stand apart for several reasons:
First, they have a weight-bearing capacity of almost 1000 lb. The table also has several mounting options with strategically located slots and post holes.
You can also use the tabletop standalone or as a regular table with legs. Moreover, the legs are equipped with snap button locks for added security under load.
Dewalt has made it very easy to clamp down oddly shaped pieces to make your welding easier. You have an array of mounting and clamping options with the Dewalt table.
Check out its other top features:
Features
- 18-inch x 46-inch tabletop with 3/4-inch diameter holes and side slots (45.5 x 18 x 7.5 inches)
- 8-inch to 36-inch height adjustable
- The thickness of the tabletop – is 5/64″ or 14 gauge.
- 1000 lb. weight capacity
- dedicated grounding stud for ground clamps
- Tool holding ring for setting electrode/welding gun between uses
- Foldable and lightweight for portability – weighs just 40 lb.
- Heavy-duty handles for ease of carrying
Pros
- Sturdy
- Compact and easy to store
- Portable and lightweight
- Acceptable thickness and work area for most welding jobs
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to fold
- Versatile
Cons
- Friging holes are not standard 0.625 (⅝) inches – so standard welding dogs and clamps do not work for it.
- The tool holder and ground lug on the sides prevent you from standing the table upright for storage.
- Has a large label attached right on the work surface that uses epoxy resin; it is difficult to remove.
How it compares
Aside from a few issues like a large sticky label and non-standard holes, the Dewalt table is sturdy, easy to assemble, and has an excellent finish. It collapses completely and is easy to transport. All in all, this is a great multi-purpose welding table for DIY enthusiasts. However, its price is slightly higher than our winning entry.
KASTFORCE KF3002 Portable Welding Table
Many features set the KASTFORCE KF3002 welding table apart from other welding tables:
First, it comes with a storage shelf underneath to store your tools and other items. Secondly, it has a 1200 lbs (or 550 kg) load-bearing capacity. Thirdly, it has standard 16mm or 5/8th inch holes which let you use standard clamps. Lastly, it comes with 3” casters having a braking system that enhances portability.
Features
- Tabletop – 18 x 36 inches with 5/8th inch holes
- 10Ga (2.8mm) welding top thickness
- Total height 35 inch
- Galvanized steel top to prevent rusting
- 3” casters with brakes
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Heavy-duty with a large load-bearing capacity
- Sturdy
- Portable
- Value for money
Cons
- The galvanized table can get hot and reek zinc fumes.
How it compares
The KASTFORCE KF3002 welding table is easy to assemble and supports heavy loads. At the same time, it is portable due to its caster wheels. The thick tabletop with zinc coating keeps the table from warping. It also has standard clamping holes. The price of the table is slightly higher than our winning entry but worth it.
Klutch Steel Welding Table with Tool Kit
The Klutch Heavy-Duty Welding Fabrication Table comes with a 24-piece metal fit-up kit with adapters, stop bases, V-blocks, and inserted clamps. Ideal for gifting or for the serious welder or DIY hobbyist, the Klutch steel table is sure to take your welding to the next level.
Features
- 4 mm thick
- 600 lb weight capacity
- Standard 16 mm or 5/8th inch holes
- Dimensions – 36 in.L x 24 in.W x 33 in. H
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy thick top ideal for automotive welding
Cons
- Heavy, not portable
How it compares
For about $200, the Klutch steel welding table is a great choice. It is sturdy and well-built and even suitable for heavy-duty welding. It comes with a metal fit-up tool kit useful for various projects.
Best Budget: JEGS Adjustable Welding Table
If you’re looking for a welding table under $100, this is a great option.
Features
- Table top with galvanized zinc coating – dimensions – 30 in. L x 20 in
- Height 32.59 in.
- The tabletop can be tilted into 5 positions
- Features retractable edge guides
- Can be joined to other welding tables to create a larger work surface
- Has a load-bearing capacity of 350 lb.
Pros
- Rust resistant
- Easy to assemble
- Compact to store; foldable
- Sturdy
- Affordable
Cons
- Hard to keep locked up for the adjustable angle feature
How it compares
Most buyers have loved the JEGS adjustable welding table. It has several 5-star ratings and positive reviews. A few users did complain about certain design issues. All in all, this is a great welding table under $100 and good for gifting.
Conclusion – How Thick Should a Welding Table Top Be?
Welding tables come in various thicknesses. Ideally, you can go for any thickness between ¼ to 3 inches. Anything lower and the table could warp.
We recommend the Strong Hand Tools Steel Welding Table with its 14 gauge thickness as it is affordable, sturdy, reliable, easy to put together, and height-adjustable. Being lightweight and foldable makes it easy to carry around.
For those on a budget, we recommend the JEGS Adjustable Welding Table. For premium tables, you can opt for Dewalt Adjustable Height Portable Steel Welding Table and Work Bench or the KASTFORCE KF3002 Portable Welding Table.
We hope this guide helps you select the best welding table for your project.
Below is a YouTube video with some DIY ideas for welding tables.
FAQs
What material is used to make welding tables?
welding tables come in a variety of materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common welding table material is steel, specifically carbon and stainless steel. Both are strong and durable.
What is the best height for a welding table?
In general, the ideal height for a welding table is waist-level. This allows the welder to work in a comfortable position and it makes it easier to see the welding area. However, some welders prefer to work at a lower height, so it is important to experiment to find what works best for you.