Yes, the table NEEDS to be grounded too. Run a ground wire from the center hub which holds the bearing. The needle running through the grooves creates static electricity, grounding the table gives this energy a path to go so it doesn't use the cantilever as a path. This should resolve your problem
Why is my Nottingham picking up so much dust noise
Why is my Nottingham picking up so much dust noise? It never did that before. Records would play clean through without any trouble. Now it clicks , pops and burps. I look at the record for signs of trouble and there's nothing there. Clean a new record on my VPI cleaning machine and it still pops. What Gives?