Stationary tables-timber vs steel

Question 17 "Isn’t steel stronger than timber, so why do some practitioners prefer solid timber tables?"
Answer. The fact that timber is lighter than steel does not necessarily mean on a weight for weight basis it is not as strong. Strength must be considered in relation to weight, and when looked at in this way timber can be an attractive alternative. For similar reasons aeroplanes are made from aluminium not from steel. A timber stationary table is generally much lighter than a steel table of similar strength and rigidity, making it easier for the table to be moved around, and of course it doesn’t ever rust. Most bodywork practitioners consider timber to have a warmer, more natural feel than steel, and some bodywork practices, e.g. certain forms of kinesiology, cannot work effectively if the patient is on, or near, any metal surface. Because most timber tables are hand crafted they can easily be manufactured to suit the specific needs of the individual practitioner. Steel tables on the other hand tend to be manufactured using jigs and dies, making it more difficult to accommodate individual requirements. Conversely, for the same reasons, steel fixed tables tend to be less expensive due to their lower hand crafted content.