We have all as welders and metal fabricators heard the word “Bluco” and the curtains to the garden of eden separate. In other words, it’s the best.

But the best at what?

If you’re into brand names and snobbery, the Bluco welding tables are supposed to be the best. But really what are we talking about?

A claimed flatness of 0.002″ over 12″? Check. Finishes such as coatings to help prevent slag from sticking to the table? Check.

So what are we talking about? The tools.

If you’re used to welding and doing layout of work on a metal table that consists of welded posts and a sheet of some thickness, it’s a great start. But what about those intricate fixturing problems and repeating the process for multiples? Now you’re not as happy, are you? If you come from a world of repeatability, these tables (or frankly any table) that has the option to attach workholding tools is a blessing. The Demmeler and Siegmund tables are just that. They are steel tables with precision drilled holes based on a grid pattern that allow you to “pin” tools in those holes. Tools range from clamps (of course!) to stops (for repeatability). In the USA, the “Bluco” tables have been the gold standard. But with the recent introduction of the Siegmund table by the fine folks in the West Coast as US distributors, we now have competition (Sorry, Bob).

We’ve also noted that within recent years, even Demmeler has introduced a “hobby” line of tables based on their higher end tables. They claim the same manufacturing processes but lack a coating on the table and other features such as the tick marks (do we really use them? They’re in MM!)

To be continued…