MAWELD / Selection guide
How to choose a welding table
From a sketch of a typical assembly to choosing a workstation. Six steps to help compare tables for your work.
1. Start with a typical product and work surface
Prepare sketches of both your most common and largest assemblies. Mark support points, stops, clamps and places where access for the torch and measuring tool must remain clear. The part footprint is only the start: the work surface must also accommodate fixtures. For serial production, consider whether another part will be prepared on the table at the same time.
A larger table does not automatically mean a more comfortable workstation. If you cannot reach the centre or the top blocks a handling route, work will be more difficult. Conversely, too small a surface can require complicated support arrangements. Compare sizes with both the laid-out assembly and the workshop floor plan.
2. Distinguish the hole system from hole spacing
The 16 mm system defines the clamping system category. The 50 or 100 mm grid describes hole spacing. These are two different properties: both grids can use the same 16 mm system. When buying accessories, you need to check technical compatibility, rather than a similar appearance alone.
Closer hole spacing can help with smaller parts and frequent changes in stop positions. A less dense grid may be sufficient for an assembly whose supports are further apart. Assess the specific fixture sketch on both grids. Hole spacing does not guarantee weld accuracy, flatness or load capacity.
3. Check construction and loading
The published MAWELD tables specify S355 steel, a 6 mm plate and legs made from 80 × 80 mm sections. These details help compare versions, but do not in themselves determine the load capacity of the complete assembly. For heavy parts, request confirmation of the permissible load for the specific model.
Also consider whether the weight will be distributed evenly or concentrated on a small area. An overhanging part may require additional supports. Plate condition, clean support points and correct installation affect working conditions. Do not assume unlisted surface treatments, tolerances or certified properties.
4. Adapt the height to the operator and assembly
The published working height range is 870 to 1 000 mm. When adjusting it, consider the operator's height, joint position and height of the assembly above the table. One position may suit assembling a flat frame and another working on a taller fixture. Check the stability of all table supports before starting.
The workstation should allow changes of position and access to the necessary sides of the product. Consider table placement together with extraction, lighting and cable routing. Adapt the specific layout to workshop conditions and the welding process used.
5. Choose accessories for the task
First determine which surfaces should support the part and which should locate it. Then choose stops, angle brackets and clamps for the 16 mm system. A clamp should secure the assembly; it does not replace a missing support or an incorrectly prepared part. Also allow space beneath the plate for fixture attachment.
For repeated production, you can record fixture positions to simplify the next setup. For custom production, consider how adaptable the set is. Before ordering, check the adjustment range and suitability of individual elements, especially when combining equipment from several manufacturers.
6. Mobility and workshop space
If you need to move the table, check whether the manufacturer has intended the particular version for that work. The general term welding table does not imply that it has castors or can be moved under load. Mobility and the securing method must be confirmed for the model you are buying.
Measure access doors and handling routes, as well as the location of the future top. Allow for material beside the table, trolleys and operator space. Finally, prepare a list: required size, hole spacing, heaviest part, necessary accessories and transport into the workshop. This information enables a much more precise comparison of a specific offer.
Welding workbenches: choose hole spacing and size
When clamping parts on a perforated table, the positions of supports, stops and clamps are decisive. First sketch a typical assembly and leave room for access to the welds.
| Selection | What to assess for your work | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 50 mm hole spacing | A denser grid of holes for smaller parts and more frequent fixture changes. | Tables with 50 mm hole spacing |
| 100 mm hole spacing | Check that the less dense grid allows every necessary point of the assembly to be supported and secured. | Tables with 100 mm hole spacing |
| Work surface | Add room for fixtures and workshop handling to the part dimensions. | Welding table sizes |