Welding Helmet Light

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Jul 26, 2020 | 10:19 AM

TonyB55

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 218

Likes: 0

From: Cary, NC

Welding Helmet Light

I’ve been having trouble seeing what I’m doing with my auto-darkening helmet, especially when doing a series of tack welds for sheet metal work. Even when the darkening switches off, I have trouble seeing where I Need to put the next tack. I’m ashamed to say, I sometimes don’t use a helmet, and just turn my head. Not really a smart thing to do.
Here’s what I came up with, and it really works well. I can now keep the helmet down, and see what I’m doing, too.
Thanks for looking!

Jul 27, 2020 | 05:10 AM

JWA

Fleet Owner

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 21,253

Likes: 1,656

From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio

An interesting way to add light when its needed---no doubt very useful for you and others too. I install windshields in big trucks and in some instances a roof-mounted visor keeps the upper areas too dark to see where my adhesive bead is being applied regardless the shop or outside lighting levels. Having a head lamp mostly solves the low contrast situation making a proper application difficult---something I'm sure you face as well with the auto-darkening helmet.

After a lot of experimenting with various head lamp manufacturers I've settled on the Streamlight 61307 ProTac HL USB Headlamp. With 1,000 lumen and adjustable output it works crazy well. Its NOT $9.99 from Harbor Freight which I think is a positive thing?