Grounding the welding table.

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I've seen a few remarks in the forum in the short time I've been here about attaching the ground to the welding table and then clamping the work to the table.  I'm building my first welding table now and that question came up in my mind.Why couldn't you just attach a the ground to the table and then let the contact between the piece you're welding and the top of the table complete the circuit?  That's assuming, of course, that the table was cleaned at both points.Are there any special considerations here and what's the proper procedure?SteveLincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200
Reply:I do 90% of my welding on a downdraft table with removable plates that also slide, with the power supply grounded to the table lug.If I'm worried about arc marks on something then I ground to it.Matt
Reply:Not to one up Matt, but I do it this way to for 99% of my welding. No problems except when the piece sits on an errant glove and you've got three things held in place with one hand...... then there's use of bad words200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:I prefer to clamp my project to the table due to the better electrical connection and less possibility for a stray arc mark and erratic welder performance.  I think those issues caused a lot of the initial IGBT and new technology welders to experience early demise.  Since they figured that out the failure rate has gone to nearly zero and the technology is robust.  Basic fixturing is most of the quality in the work.  Well constructed mechanically and properly joined thermaly.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:About grounding the table....When you are welding on a steel table You can put the ground clamp (work cable),On the piece you are welding, but if you are working on very small parts you can connect the (work) clamp ground cable right to the steel table. Then lay the weldment on that steel table.But some of this discussion is about another  subject.Lets say you have a piece on the welding table and the (work ) clamp or ground is attached to the table, but while you are welding you move the piece you are working on and it does not get a ground for a split second. Dirt or grinding dust on the table.Then that load is looking for a ground, and it could be you. So it is good to have a ground wire going from the table leg to a ground in your building. Like a #12 AWG wire.This is important also if you are TIG welding because High Frequency can be irradiating the space around you but by grounding the table the HF is suppressed.If you look in the manual that you get with your welding machine it should show you about setting up your workspace to be safe.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald Branscom ......and it does not get a ground for a split second. Dirt or grinding dust on the table.Then that load is looking for a ground, and it could be you. So it is good to have a ground wire going from the table leg to a ground in your building. Like a #12 AWG wire.
Reply:As usual you guys came through with the answers I needed.  If I'm working on small parts I'll ground the table and clamp the piece to the table top, making sure the spot I'm clamping to is clean; for larger parts I'll ground to the piece.  Also the suggestion D. B. gave about grounding the table to an earth ground is also a good one. Thanks again.Lincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200
Reply:I would like to ground my welding table (not just make it part of the weld circuit).Please post your ideas and or pics of how you have your weld table grounded.I am going to be welding in a solid concrete and cinder block enclosure (with windows). I can't easily drive a ground rod and tie to that. And I have no water pipes nearby. What other ways are there? I might be able to use a ground from the building circuit, but that is also the same ground as the weld circuit I believe.... so that might negate the whole idea/purpose.The weld table is on wheels and I don't believe they conduct electricity. Thus I want to make sure the table has a good ground (don't want the ground to be "me").Thanks for any input....seo services
Reply:the weld circuit does not have a ground in it. that is a misnomer. the clamp often called a ground is better termed the work clamp. it completes the circuit..provides a conductive path back to the power source. a ground is totally a differtn thing, a low resistance path to the ground..
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadthe weld circuit does not have a ground in it. that is a misnomer. the clamp often called a ground is better termed the work clamp. it completes the circuit..provides a conductive path back to the power source. a ground is totally a differtn thing, a low resistance path to the ground..
Reply:Originally Posted by stevenstiltsBut the power could still seek the earth ground if the work clamp failed to complete the circuit, correct? So if I were welding and standing on wet ground or cement and my sweaty clothing came into contact with my work piece or welding table and my work clamp didn't have a good connection couldn't I get shocked?I've read up on it and that's the idea I get; am I correct.
Reply:I know the old Tombstone is the cats meow for getting fishing worms out of wet grass......Crank it up and out they dance.....
Reply:Stick welding in the rain is great for making you feel like a grounding rod   You quickly learn that your armpit is the driest part of your body when in the rain.