I've been known to squeeze a nickel so tight I've made the Indian ride the buffalo every now and then so they say, it's more like why buy it when you can make it. Sure many here will agree. I was thinking about trying one of those Mig lights that you see all over the net for sale because I guess it come with the gray hair the eyes aren't as good as they used to be. One night I was searching the net for one of these gizmo's but the prices were ah not bad but more than I wanted to pay and I looked and next to the monitor of my computer was the light mount for a rifle. I have several and couldn't tell you how much this thing cost but knowing my inner cheapskate not a heck of a lot. So I picked up a $5 LED flashlight in Lowes and here ya go Redneck do it yourself mig light. Works very well and now that I can see what I am welding much better I need to improve my welding skills because the I can't see what I'm doing excuse just went out the window.
Sorry welded for four hours today all I had to do was wipe it few times Sent from my SM-G900T using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Pretty cool. I've seen my sons duck tape 'em to the side of their helmets when needed. Red Green would be be proud.
Mr.48chev This isn't exactly the same mount but you get the idea its a flashlight mount for a rifle the flashlight was just a $5 cheapy form Lowes figured try it out with the cheap one first. Someone suggest making a slag shield to cover the front?
What brand batteries do you buy, think I'll invest in some stock.,of course H F has free flashlights. Kool idea tho.
I have a better helmet which negates as much need for a light than I used to need. Now I use a clamp on flood light to help out. I had problems with the weld splatter ruining the my cheap Harbor Freight lights when I clamped them on the stinger. Glad that the original poster brought this up again, both us old people and maybe not so old can always use a little more light and a new idea.
The helmet lights don't cut it, they light up the area fine but when your welding in a tight space or not the light on the torch directs the light right where your welding, it may not sound like a big deal but just a little more light on the welding area makes a world of difference sometimes. Sure those new fancy welding helmets with all the latest technology are cool but for $300 vs $5 this works just fine for my needs.
I think it's a great post, can't have too much light. I'm 65, had cataract surgery when I was still in my 30s, and always need more light. I've posted before that I've had the best results welding outside on my outside bench. It can be dang close to sundown, and I can still see to weld much better outside than with extra lights in the garage. I know that's not always practical, especially in the winter, but if you have trouble seeing to weld, try it, you might be surprised.
I guess I better try this out! I've had a right eye that for years has mostly only been good for plugging the hole. Have never had what I would call good welding vision since I taught myself to weld (mig) in the late 80's. Tried many lenses, even those gold ones, magnifiers, etc, nothing works. I'm 63 and also had cataract surgery in both eyes a couple years ago, I have progressive bifocals also, nothing seems to have helped much for welding. Tired of grinding welds to make them look presentable. I asked this before but does anybody else here wear glasses that darken in sunlight? Also, do you think they activate from the weld arc and increase the welding lense value?
Pick up the free LED flashlight from Harbor Freight using the coupon. It's in virtually every car magazine. Use it until it's completely covered by welding slag then swap in another. I pick one up every time I go to HF. Have about 7 of 'em. I put one in the glovebox of each car I own and I've got a couple extras.
I have "Transitions" glasses and they work fine... I do not think the arc activates them but I could be wrong.... The biggest thing that helps me is leave my bifocals on the shelf and use single vision glasses for welding, (think reading glasses)... The seam on the bifocals is always in the wrong spot.... My welding glasses are prescription safety glasses, but drug store readers work well too..... LynnW
It's all about seeing the puddle. If the lens is dark enough to dim the arc properly, it will be too dark to actually see the molten puddle. That's where ambient light comes in - it illuminates the puddle. I use an old 500 watt Halogen "dry wall" work light around 12" from the weld. Once you can clearly see the puddle, your welding improves dramatically. It took me a long time to figure out ambient light was the solution.
I used to think so...but in reality it's not the puddle you need to watch as much the crack you need to find and follow.
I like it! I'd wipe the lens with a little splatter sauce to make clean up easier and make it last a bit longer. I bought a pair of welding gloves that had LED lights on the pointer fingers, made it one project.
I kinda did this welding in my 39 trunk. Had a big enuff elastic band and I don't know where I got it but the sucker is really brite. Good for about 2hrs useful light, then dims to "hey you left it on" status.
I am wiring my 41 PU and it was time to distort my 6'2, 250-pound body to fit underneath the dash so I could wire the AC switches. I wear a rechargeable headlight with several LEDs for such projects. I reached up and turned on the lights only to have 2 seconds of brightness before it failed. I had forgotten to plug it in! After a Houdini like escape from the cab I am now inside on the HAMB waiting for the charge cycle to complete. Feeling has returned to my lower extremities for which I am thankful.
As far as headlamps go, I scored a pair of Coast adjustable at Home Depot for crazy cheap a few years back that are bottom end but super useful: wide flood beam adjustable to spot, so bright it's like forget about trouble lights. https://coastportland.com/collections/headlamps/products/coast-crew-fl75
I’m not a welder. But I can’t help but wonder why the manufacturers of welders haven’t provided a light for just this use from day one.
This Steck outfit has the unit everyone is talking about and everyone sells (and a number of reviews are critical). But I just checked and Lincoln has a "high intensity" helmet LED light: https://store.cyberweld.com/lincoln...8LQs-EhLXVhCW3Lm-HfYoOFPDDjlicdxoC-6wQAvD_BwE
Solution is to buy a spare BB turn loose of that change in your pocket so that it doesn't fall out when you are inverted under the dash!!
The Jalopy Journal
