This question kind of assumes that there are so many different types of welding tables that one would be better for a hobbyist and a different one would be better for a professional. But in reality, the only real differentiator between a quality welding table for a beginner or for a professional has to do with the weight and construction of it.
Anyone engaged in welding needs a flat, stable surface, preferably with standard sized holes in it that can accommodate tooling for fixturing.
Now if you’re a beginner or a hobbyist, you would look for a table that is fairly lightweight and mobile because you probably don’t have a forklift sitting around and you need to be able to roll the table out of the way when it’s not in use.
- There are very cheap tables available on Amazon, at Harbor Freight, and Northern Tool. At a minimum start with one of those! It’s better than just throwing some legs on a piece of metal.
- But if you intend to actually weld for money, your table will be the most important tool you own. Treat it as such from an investment perspective. Oh, and your table will retain it’s value better than ANY other tool you own. It’s the one thing that won’t depreciate with use, because you won’t “wear out” a good table.
Conversely, if you’re a professional fabricator and you’re in a large shop, you probably have heavy lifting equipment like forklifts and you probably get engaged in larger projects where you’re going to need a big, strong, heavy table. Plus, you (HAVE A) commercial business that helps pay for the cost of an extraordinarily heavy and expensive table.