Welding platens are the flat metal surfaces on which you can carry out your welding process. You can use these platens for welding, layout, setup and clamping of welded parts. In addition, welding platens are used in bending and straightening of various materials such as railings, pipes and angle irons.

Welding platens are available in diverse materials such as cast iron and steel. Different material suits different applications, thus choose the welding platen carefully for an efficient and easy welding operation.

Some important parameters you must consider before buying a welding platen are:

1. The material you need to weld using the welding platen
2. The material of the welding platen
3. The tensile strength of the welding platen material
4. Per foot tolerance of the welding platen

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy welding platens from reputable welding platen manufacturers

After analyzing you requirements, evaluate welding platens available with manufacturers.

I recommend: You can buy a high quality platen made of high tensile strength steel from BLUCO, a leading welding platen manufacturer that stocks a wide variety of welding platens for sale. Another leading manufacturer of welding platens is Weldsale, who manufactures cast iron platens. The company also provides welding tables, acorn tables and other equipment required for an efficient welding operation. You can buy customized welding platens and other welding accessories from Acorn Iron & Supply Co., a reputable custom manufacturer that also offers other parts and accessories of a welding table which includes stands, clamps, pins and posts.

Buy welding platens from reputable distributors and retailers

Compare welding platens based on product features and prices at retailers or distributors' websites.

I recommend: You can buy welding platens from MSC Industrial Direct Co., a leading welding platen supplier. You can also check out different suppliers of welding platens at ThomasNet.

Buy used welding platens

You can buy a used welding platen for a cost effective solution. However, before buying used equipment, make sure you perform a cost value analysis by including the cost of maintenance and upgrades needed.

I recommend: You can check out used welding platens for sale at Liberty Machinery Company, which is one of the leading suppliers of used welding platens and welding tables. In addition, you can also check out used equipment offered by Surplus Record Machinery & Equipment Directory, where you can obtain a wide range of used welding platens and accessories.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use cast iron platens for your welding processes, as the spatter does not stick to it.
• •  Use cross-ribbed platens for welding. It reduces sagging and warping greatly.