Why shops choose raw cast iron

Raw cast iron delivers excellent natural resistance and strong dimensional stability. They are commonly used in general fabrication where extreme surface hardness isn’t the top priority, making it a reliable entry point into precision welding tables.

Advantages

• Strong dimensional stability for accurate work
• Natural spatter resistance during welding
• Most cost-accessible way to enter modular fixturing
• Perfect for light to moderate production environments

Trade-offs vs nitrided options

• Lower surface durability than nitrided options
• More maintenance needed to manage rust and surface marks
• Spatter and grinding contact affect the surface more over time

Best for: Shops upgrading from homemade benches who want precision without jumping straight to surface-hardened systems.

Why shops choose nitrided cast iron

This is where long-term performance meets smart investment. You get the natural rigidity and spatter resistance of cast iron, plus a nitrided surface that improves hardness and corrosion resistance.

Advantages

• Double the surface hardness of raw cast iron due to nitriding
• Improved resistance to wear, scratches, and corrosion
• Maintains flatness and dimensional stability under heavy use
• Excellent balance of durability and price

Trade-offs vs other materials

• Higher upfront cost than raw cast iron
• Slightly less impact-resistant than nitrided steel in extreme industrial use

Best for: Busy fabrication shops that want a table built for years of daily work without stepping into full industrial-grade steel systems.

Why shops choose nitrided steel

Made from grade Q355 steel and designed for high-output workshops, nitrided steel offers superior surface toughness and resistance to dents, scratches, and daily wear. Combined with a precision-machined structure, it’s built for serious production use.

This option also comes with radiused holes and a better side hole pattern (more holes on the sides of the table).

Advantages

• Highest surface hardness of the three options
• Excellent resistance to impact, scratching, and tool drops
• Durable under constant, heavy fabrication work
• Lower day-to-day surface maintenance
• Finer finish compared to cast iron table options

Trade-offs vs cast iron options

• Highest investment level across the three options

Best for: Production-focused shops, heavy fabrication, and multi-operator environments where durability and longevity matter most.

Fixture positioning flexibility:

The 100mm grid gives strong, repeatable clamping points across the welding table surface. You can position stops, squares, and clamps almost anywhere without overcomplicating setups.

Workflow & usability:

This is the most straightforward and widely compatible layout. It’s fast to learn, works with standard System 28 tooling, suits most welding fixture table applications, and handles the majority of fabrication tasks with ease.

Compared to other patterns

Less angle flexibility than diagonal holes and fewer micro-adjustment options than 50×50, but simpler, faster, and more than capable for most workshops.

Fixture positioning flexibility:

Diagonal holes add 45° clamping angles to your welding table, making it easier to fixture angled parts without stacking extra accessories or improvising setups.

Workflow & usability:

Reduces setup time when working with mitres, angled joints, and non-square assemblies. Instead of “fighting the grid,” your fixtures naturally follow common fabrication angles.

Compared to other patterns

More versatile than standard holes for angled work, but not as dense or fine-adjustable as the 50×50 system. Ideal for fabricators using a fixturing table for frames, structural builds, and angled assemblies.

Fixture positioning flexibility:

The dense 50mm radiused-hole grid increases positioning precision across the welding table, giving near-limitless clamping positions.

Workflow & usability:

Common in advanced welding fabrication table setups, where tight tolerances and repeatability are critical. Once dialled in, setups can be replicated quickly with minimal adjustment.

Compared to other patterns

Offers the highest flexibility and precision, but adds complexity you may not need for basic fabrication. Best suited for advanced users, production workflows, or shops pushing for maximum accuracy.