Easy grounding question for you...

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I've not yet done any welding - still just at the reading stage, but reading everything I can.  Currently I'm reading about welding tables, and every so often there's talk of attaching a ground to the table.  So my question is...is this the grounding clamp from the welder?  Do you then use that clamp on the table instead of whatever you're working on?  If that's the case, how do you end up not welding your piece to the table, especially when you're new at this and haven't mastered proper penetration yet?  Fwiw, I plan on eventually getting the HH187.  Thanks!
Reply:Yes it is the same, you can attach it to the job if you wish. The table should be clean and that will provide enough contact for the current to flow.Save yourself a lot of grief, go to night classes, you will learn so much more from an instructor.
Reply:Yes, the work lead on a welding machine is very often miscalled a ground, when it really isn't.  It can even be any polarity, depending on the process.But anyway, yes, many of us connect our work lead to the table.  There is a lot of surface area of the table to the workpiece, so it is very rare that you even get an arc mark between the weldment and the table.  If you have a small weldment with only one or two small points that touch the table, then you are likely to get an arc mark or even slightly weld the part to the table.  Even then it comes off easily.And usually the weldment is also clamped to the table, which means it gets a very good, non-arcing contact with the "grounded" table.The HH187 is a great machine.
Reply:Thanks for the answers...and explanations  Originally Posted by cliveSave yourself a lot of grief, go to night classes, you will learn so much more from an instructor.
Reply:You will pick up more in a 6 hour course than 6 hours struggling on your own.
Reply:Originally Posted by somewherre...but I don't know that a 6-hour class can be all that useful.