Light on helmet

[escavader]

I always see better with a bright light where i weld . That being said anyone ever thought of adding a light to your helmet? Such as a small rerangular led .am i foolish?

 

[Shield Arc]

I don't see why not. If your neck can handle the extra weight. My neck can't! Too many years of wearing a hard hat welding hood.

 

[CNC Dan]

I once saw a light made to go on a welding helmet. It had a mercury switch to turn it on when it was in position, and off when you raised it up. It was powered by your welder via two small battery clamps. When you struck an arc, the light would go out as the welder's open circuit voltage dropped to welding arc voltage.

I think a modern light could be made to work even better.

 

[jb1390]

I have never tried one of these, but it seems like a cool idea. Might pick one up, or rig something similar.

McMaster-Carr

A light on the torch seems even better than the helmet.

 

[yomax4]

If I don't have to pay for electricity. I would vote for the Halogen light either on the table or on the telescoping stand. Very bright. I do understand the pin point light of the helmet light. However, When the Lens goes dark under the arc, Lights don't matter.

 

[skyhook]

I always see better with a bright light where i weld . That being said anyone ever thought of adding a light to your helmet? Such as a small rerangular led .am i foolish?

Sounds like a great idea, I like it.:thumbsup:

 

[weldingisfun]

I have never tried one of these, but it seems like a cool idea. Might pick one up, or rig something similar.

McMaster-Carr

A light on the torch seems even better than the helmet.

This looks like a good idea, but when welding with flux core wire, wouldn't the lens get dirty reducing the light's effectiveness?

 

[Sodo]

I'd like bright lights on my helmet. I often end up welding at the end of the day. Even when the lens goes dark it helps to see around the weld area. And when the lens is not dark it helps to see around the weld area too. Note if your habit is to lift the helmet up your light goes away.

Plus if you look at your spectators (with bright lights) and forcefully ask them if they like your welds they quickly reply YES.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I wouldn't put a light on the MIG torch that close to the weld spatter and heat. I don't think it would be effective for very long due to smoke/weld spatter on the lens.
I think the best option is a quartz halogen type light mounted on an adjustable stand that you can focus on the project. They are cheap to buy but a little bit of an energy hog but then so is the welding machine. At least these wont add weight to your helmet and wont be affected by the smoke and fire from your welding.

 

[dragoneggs]

I like the idea too but I think you need a lot of light to make it really worth while. I do set up my portable halogen lights on a stand but it would be cool to have high output concentrated light on the subject.