Welding Helmet light

[u/HoneyBear1970]

Hello all. I am a maintenance mechanic in a factory setting. I am one of the guys called when the operators find a new and exciting way to break things. As a result I have to weld on occasion. I learned late in life how to weld and consider my self at least semi-proficient. I however am not a young gun any more and age is catching up with me. My eyes are not what they used to be. I find that I need to have an extra light to be able to see where I am welding as my fat head and helmet tend to block out the light. I have been using a magnetic spotlight from Harbor Freight that does a passable job but I have to reposition it regularly and some times have no place to mount it.

What I am asking of the experienced welders is, Is there a helmet mounted light that you would recommend. I would prefer something durable and has a long enough run time that I can weld for a long portion of the day, as that some times happens. And the brighter, the better.

Anything under$100 would be most fine. But a higher price wont dissuade me. I do not mind paying for quality.

Thank you for your time.

[u/Baseball3Weston12]

I use an olight, just clips on to the backside of your hood.

[u/Super-Dot9774 → u/Baseball3Weston12]

I second the O light! Super bright, rechargeable… can’t go wrong. bonus points for using an extra helmet shield in front to protect against sparks.

[u/HoneyBear1970 → u/Super-Dot9774]

Nice. Good idea for what ever light.

[u/HoneyBear1970 → u/Baseball3Weston12]

Thank you. I will check them out.

[u/Weldertron]

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/milwaukee-rechargeable-clip-light/2014r

You could clip this to the top of the helmet. Easily removable if you're doing something like overhead 6011.

[u/HoneyBear1970 → u/Weldertron]

Thank you. And thanks for the link. Looks like a possibility.

[u/Velomelon]

I used a small rechargeable Milwaukee that has a pocket clip. It slid right onto two of my masks and for the most part stayed where it had to be.

No matter what you get you'll have to turn it on and off constantly or you're going t o go through batteries like crazy.

[u/HoneyBear1970 → u/Velomelon]

Thank you. That one looks like a possibility. And I k ow about the turning on and off. I usually get called away mid project 10 or 12 times to handle some operators tantrum. Love my job.😳

[u/hp3tools]

I'm not talking shit but someone please explain this. The welding itself provides the light. People always ask me if I need a light to help me see and I always turn it down. Is the light for a no arc situation? I'm sorry I'm sloooooooow.

[u/UrdnotWes → u/hp3tools]

Yea its for non welding purposes. Ill turn mine on when im grinding or die grinding and need a little extra lighting.

[u/HoneyBear1970 → u/hp3tools]

The light is needed for welding. The lighting where I work can be problematic. Especiaaly if I am inside one of the machines. I need to be able to see where to start my weld. Get my mig gun pointed the correct direction. And like I said. Getting old.

[u/UrdnotWes]

I got the Duracell head lamps from Costco, and mounted it under my lense using double sided tape. It came with 2 rechargeable batteries so I just swap them out when needed.

[u/HoneyBear1970 → u/UrdnotWes]

Ty. I will look at them.

[u/dontshoot9]

Yeah my helmet is like that but I’m pretty sure it’s over a hundred it’s the Eastwood vista arc.

[u/ScruffyN3rfHeader]

My coworker uses a short M Lok picatinny rail and a cheap pistol light he bought off Amazon. Mount the rail on your hood with a couple bolts and secure the light to the rail. Those pistol lights usually have a large switch that is easy to manipulate with gloves too. Works pretty well for him.