Clamp size follows the hole system
On a modular welding table, a clamp does not grip the table edge. It sits in a hole and is locked there, so the clamp shank has to match the hole diameter. Every clamp, pin and stop on the table belongs to one system:
| Table system | Hole | Grid | Clamp use |
|---|---|---|---|
| D16 | 16 mm | 50 mm | Light parts, sheet metal, small brackets |
| D22 | 22 mm | 100 mm | Mixed fabrication, medium frames |
| D28 | 28 mm | 100 mm | Heavy frames, thick plate, high clamping force |
Clamps from one system do not fit another. When you buy a table, choose the system with your clamps in mind, because the clamps you collect over time will stay with it.
16 mm vs 5/8 inch welding table clamps
Many buyers in the US search for 5/8 inch welding table clamps. Five-eighths of an inch is 15.875 mm, very close to 16 mm, and some clamps will physically drop into either hole. But close is not the same as matched:
- The locking mechanism of a clamp is designed for one hole diameter and one plate thickness. In the wrong hole it may not lock as firmly.
- Grid spacing can differ between imperial and metric tables, so stops and squares may not line up with the holes.
- There is no single global standard for hole systems, even among metric tables.
Before ordering clamps for a table you already own, measure the hole diameter, the grid spacing and the top plate thickness, or send the make and model. We confirm the fit before production. See welding table hole types.
The main types of welding table clamps
Quick clamps
Quick clamps drop into a hole and tighten with a short movement. They are the everyday clamp on a 3D table: fast to place, fast to move, and the first thing to order with a new table.
Vertical and toggle clamps
Toggle clamps close with a lever and open the same way, so a part can be loaded and released in seconds. They suit repeat parts and batches, where the same clamp position is used again and again.
Screw and adjustable clamps
Screw clamps take longer to set but give controlled pressure and adjustable reach. Use them to pull parts into contact, hold thick sections, or reach over a stop to the work.
Pressure arms
Pressure arms extend the clamp's reach across the table so the part can be held away from the nearest hole, which helps on large or awkward parts.
Stop and clamp combinations
A stop sets the position and the clamp holds it, in one component. These save time on repeat parts and keep set-ups consistent. The full range of clamping, locating and connecting families is on the fixtures page.
How many clamps do you need?
Hold each part at four to six points, then count how many parts or sub-assemblies you set up on the table at the same time. For a 3D table used every day, most shops settle at around 20 to 40 accessory pieces in total, including squares, stops and pins.
Start with a kit that covers clamping, squaring and connecting in matched sizes, then add single clamps once you know which jobs repeat. See fixture kits vs single components and, for heavy work, D28 welding table accessories.
Clamp last, not first
Clamps hold what the stops and squares have already set. Support the part, locate it against the stops, check it, then clamp lightly and tack. Clamping too hard before the part is located pulls it out of position. Our guide to the clamping sequence walks through each step.
Keep clamps and holes clean
Spatter in a hole stops a clamp seating fully, and a clamp that does not seat does not hold. Use anti-spatter around the joint, brush the holes clean, and oil the machined surfaces when the table is idle. A nitrided table resists spatter and rust but still needs this care. See maintenance and spatter control.
Send a drawing for a quote
The fastest way to a firm quotation is a drawing or a sketch with dimensions. For clamps on a table you already own, add the hole diameter, grid spacing and plate thickness, or the make and model. Upload it through the contact form or email it, and we will reply with a configuration and a quotation. Standard sizes usually produced in about 10 days after drawing approval; custom sizes are confirmed on the quotation.
Distributors and resellers who want to stock BECO tables and tooling can see the terms on the distributor page.