I've got a decent if not great welding table in my shop. Basically a frame work of 2x2x1/8 inch steel tube with a 1/4 steel plate for the top. Often when working on relatively clean pieces that I have to turn and rotate I'll just attach the work piece clamp to the table top and do what I need to do. It usually just works.
Yesterday I was making (its not finished yet) a 3PT to hitch assembly to use on John Deere tractor. Something to I can drop in the quick hitch to quickly and easily more trailers around. I am using whatever scraps and drops I have around. For now I am just grinding and v-grinding enough to get a good weld. Because its drops and scrap some is cover in paint and others are covered in old paint or powder coat. I had been clamping direct to good surfaces on the work piece prior to taking it out for a test fit.
Even I was able to lay down welds that didn't look completely terrible. Mostly 1/4 wall tube salvaged from a trailer axle, and solid round bar for all the pins. I had the welder set for 3/8 and it was just doing a dandy job in spite of my low skill level.
When I came back in to weld the upper cross pin in place I was still amazed with how well the beads were laying down. Then I paused and realized I had not reattached the clamp to the work piece. I looked around expecting to see it clamped to the table. No, it was laying on the floor. My brain short circuited for a moment. I'd just started a weld bead and was half way around the pin when I stopped. It looked ever bit as not totally terrible as every other weld. How was that possible? Ok, steel table (to heavy to lift) directly on a concrete floor. I just stood there for a moment waiting for my brain to catch up with my vision. The clamp might have been touching a piece of stainless angle that might have been touching a piece of stainless plate that might have been touching one leg of the table. Maybe. Just barely.
When I tried to move the hitch I found it had welded itself to the table. I don't mean firmly, but enough that I had to break it loose and there were a couple pits in the table top.
They always told me when you crank up up the juice the welds often get easier, but I never thought it would be so easy you didn't even have to attach the work piece clamp. LOL.