I’ve also hung a ‘drape’ over the back of my helmet. Keeps the inside of the helmet dark, so the only light comes through the lens. I used to get reflecting light bouncing off the inside of the helmet from ambient light in my workshop.
I did the same thing with a section cut out of the back of my old leather welding jacket, doubles up to keep light out and keep sparks off your head/neck.
This is my 21st year welding and literally this. I take every new helmet and I put Velcro along the back of the helmet. Then I make a little curtain out of non flammable material it all over the back of my head and so the other side of Velcro on to the top of that curtain. When I'm welding in the Sun or in very lighted conditions I just stick that little curtain to the back of the helmet. It's amazing how much of a difference that makes. I'm surprised it's not on every helmet
Man I feel dumb, was welding on my shop press just yesterday, moving a small flood light around, griping about visibility. I'm doing this asap, just putting the tape both top and bottom so I have a choice where to mount.
I did something similar a few years back. I epoxied a short strip of steel to my helmet and a couple of magnets to the lamp. My foreman gave me crap about it until he tried it. Then I made a second one.
Throw/ stick velcro on forehead, chin, and on either sides. You can have 4 locations to place the lamp, or go berserk and have 4 head lamps lighting up the work area or cut costs and light up the shop.
OR hear me out, use a light sensor and microcontroller to adjust it so that the light turns off if you're actually welding. Unsure if powering the microcontroller would exceed the power usage of just leaving the light on at all times.
@@ilikewaffles3689 oh man, I like that! Microcontroller is much more efficient, the auto darkening welding helmets work the same way. I might build one of these!
@@Mrcaffinebean yes a on/off switch to turn it on while you're wearing the hood and the microcontroller turns off the light when it detects a high enough number of lumens (which the arc provides). Then the light turns back on if the lumens drop. When you're done, you switch off the light.
@@ilikewaffles3689 ... I see one flaw here and that's using a wire feed welder where your hand or the welding tip itself might block the UV light sensor so create false triggers. I suspect a simple "tilt switch" might be the answer. OTOH, the LED light draws so little from the battery you don't really need to be concerned with an automatic off / on function. The "tilt switch" could be tied to the head gear so everything is off when you flip the helmet up.
@@jons2447 I never learned either. College types were not permitted to take shop courses, because they might learn a marketable or practical skill they might need some day. "Great Ideas in Literature" has done me a world of good.---LOL.
I did the same years ago, but I put a small piece of clear tape over the LED lens to protect it from damage. When the tape gets cloudy or damaged, I pull it off and place a new piece of clear tape on the lens. It does not really hurt the light output.
Thank you for this video. I am 74 years old and have cataracts. The light is never bright enough for me unless I am in direct sunlight. I gave this a try this morning and it made big difference. I can weld like I did 20 years ago.
Hey Chris. I am new to welding and I have trouble in lots of situations, but dark welding is the # 1 problem. Thanks for this tip. I will get one and see if that will help me out. Now if I only could weld better I would be all set. Thanks for sharing.🍁👍👍
I also did something like this, but I found that mounting it to the chin of the helmet and rotating the light so that the tilt feature allows me to point it straight forwards or upwards was much more adaptable. It is also less likely to bump into/get caught on overhead things if mounted on the chin.
I did the same thing but with a much bigger and brighter light than he used. Coming from the chin keeps the gun from getting in the way like the overhead light does. I also mounted mine with two short screws and keep the charger near the welder so that it is always charged.
Scott ... was thinking the same thing 'cause I do a lot of under vehicle work. (head bump) OTOH, the top mount might line up better in other situations. How about adding a second velcro so you can move the light as necessary? Would only take a few seconds to move the light.
Most obvious solutions to difficult problems are often overlooked. I didn't know about this type of velcro but I will be looking for it. Thks. #BlindedByTheNonLight #ThanksForTheEnlightenment
On the Pipeline up north we used pan hoods stopped the back light you get in sugar scoops. Bright sunlight was always one of the worst issues from the reflection. Good 👍content. 🇺🇸🦅🌏⚓️🇺🇸
One problem seeing out of the hood can be if the room lighting illuminates the interior of the hood from behind. If it is too bright your eye adjusts to the light and you don't get enough light through the lens to see anything. Try a dark cloth around the back of the hood ,like early camera operators used, to see the difference. The addition of the headlamp is an added bonus to this.
An ancient trick my pipeliner welding instructor taught me is to glue a flap to the top of my Fibre-Metal Pipeliner helmet to block light and debris (after chopping it first of course). I cut leather from whatever is handy, like old welding aprons.
I use TONS of extra little lights and am constantly fiddling with them to give the best light but not be in the way. This is a much better solution. Definitely giving it a try!
I attached my light to the panel below the viewing window after trying the top like he does here and it is more useful lower. It also gets the light closer to the weld. I bought a rechargeable light from eBay and used four small screws to mount it onto the helmet. When I hang my helmet up, I plug the lamp into its charger and it's always ready to weld!
For the masses (myself included)who will likely never do any welding, can you take this to the next level and show us what it looks like when you are actually welding? Honestly, this is the first time I have seen what it is like to be behind that shield!
Fantastic idea! I'm new to welding and that was one of my bigger difficulties. I have a Milwaukee headlamp and also one from a dollars store. Both work great! Though, one was thirty dollars, and the other was about two bucks. Thanks for sharing the great idea!
Been welding and fabricating for over 15 years and its always the back lighting that gets me. Another great addition to your hoods is a Lincoln press fit helmet bib! I weld Aluminum all day and that helmet bib saves you from those nasty UV burns you get on your neck. It also blocks a lot of the side lighting that causes reflection into the helmet. But I will certainly be adding a light to at least one of my hoods! Thanks for the tip.
good Idea! I try to keep my hood angle tucked pretty low into my chin/neck to help with that neck burn, but I could use a bib. I finally got myself in the habit of wearing a welders cap to keep burning the hair I have left!
PS: How are those Lincoln helmet's headgear? I must have a dozen that I have bought over the years and they all droop which drives me nuts. From the expensive ones to the cheaper ones they all droop. Tighten the headscrews and they loosen up almost immediately and droop if they hold to begin with. I have been welding for fifty years and I am still looking for the perfect flip your head helmet.
I really like the Lincoln headgear, I had cheaper hoods over the years and they all would droop and drove me nuts. With this headgear though theres a little detent when the hood is up so even if the screws are loose it doesn't fall until you knock your chin down. works great!
Like u mentioned, I cant believe I've been doing this my whole life without the addition of that lil light ! I've got a couple portable lights I place around my table to supplement the shop lights when I weld, this idea, albeit simple as can be, is pure genius!
I wirefeed more than anything Bought 6-13 darkening helmet. Works well on 7 for wirefeed and that is a HUGE difference for me. Plenty of light from the weld...but it's just too dark from 8 and up
Good idea but the question in my mind, having been a welder more years than you've been alive, is what's gonna get this light first, the smoke or the sparks!!!
Mark this one under why didn't I think of this. You should have called the patent office on this one. Next thing you know Lincoln and Miller will be selling hoods with lights already built in.
@@Chad_N_Stacey_Hopson I have thought of two ideas that ended up making it to market. I asked years ago why didn't the rear glass on a pickup roll down. Also a telescopic ATV ramp set that stowed in the tail gate. I will be doing this little mod. Really good idea.
@@hoagie2011 I want to ask for more tips if I can: I use a shade 10 lens for my settings. Is it a personal preference or is that a threshold safety thing?
THANKS FOR THIS GREAT IDEA!! I WILL TRY THIS, BUT, I'M GOING TO INSTALL A PIECE OF THAT "VELCRO" BELOW THE VISOR,(CHIN), AS WELL AS VERTICALLY, ON EACH SIDE, (CHEEK)... HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY "PROBLEMS" WITH THE HEAD-BAND TENSION ADJUSTER KNOBS, ON THOSE HELMETS?!...
So it is not just me. I have a hard time seeing what I am welding even when I try difference shade settings. And you can't weld what you can't see... Thumbs Up!
I've been thinking lately that if I attach a stronger led light to the helmet I could use a $10 normal helmet (non-darkening) with a fixed lens. It would be cheaper and better than any auto-darkening helmet. I'd only have to change the lenses according to the darkness needs of the moment.
Always great ideas on this channel.... Good video... oh and very nice fab table... I would love one not because I do a lot of fabrication, mostly because they are awesome lol
Thanks good idea. I might try and snatch up two of those headlights. I also might get some of that velcro. Hot milk glue might work to hold on the headlight, I've used it before to hold a headlight on a jigsaw. Edit Melt.
I did that years ago, it's a must, especially when you wear glasses. Headlamp on the welding helmet should be standard. don't know why they don't make them like that.
its extra weight, it gets caught on stuff because its a protrusion and portal able work lights exist heck i have pen light that has a magnetic base the lets me hang it from any position. all this is destroying a welding hood to try save a couple seconds you would take setting up a work light.
Thanks for sharing. I've been dealing with the same issue and planning to apply the same fix for a long time now. I have been using good free standing bright LED lamps nearby. But, they are so hard to move around and get into the right place. Those cheap lights from Amazon work pretty well. I was using one like yours on my head to do other automotive work. Thanks
This is simple yet great idea - Thanks! I did have to shave off a little of the hinge edge of the gray part to allow a bit more range in the angle for my helmet (Miller Pro-Hobby model does not have enough upper surface on the helmet to adjust a good "aim" of the light otherwise} -- easy enough. This is making things so much better. Thanks for posting.
Man, please! OK, I watched this & it !is! cool. But then I saw the "Olight"! AND wouldn't you know, HE DOESN'T GIVE A LINK! THAT! is the most interesting part of the video! I'm on disability w/ breathing problems, & I may weld again w/ a fan to keep fumes away. BUT a LIGHT! It gets dark EVERY DAY! Is anything more useful than a good LIGHT!? SHEESH!
Thanks Chris! This popped up cause I was searching for 'my hood doesn't auto darken'. On a side note after seeing your welds I need to get more gooder at welding.
I was watching another vid about "can't see when I'm welding"...... I thought gee I could fasten an led lamp on my hood. Wala, you had already done it. Great vid.
I did the same thing to my helmet with velcro and it kept coming loose especially when you hit your helmet on something. So I use a self tapper to secure it down
They sell tactical helmet lights also. I have 2 bike head lights mounted on each side of my helmet that way I can switch between the two when one dies. Had flash light and mounts at first but was always dropping them. I found mounting lamps on top kept getting hung up on stuff in tight spaces working under vehicles crawling in tanks Etc., and on my first cheap helmet the little added weight kept making it fall down. Just putting it out there think how you need to use them for your job first before you install them.
I am an old man just starting to arc weld. I arc welded for maybe 10 minutes in ag class back when I was 17. Anyway, aren't instant darkening hoods bad for the eyes or is that just a fallacy I heard? My eyes are poor anyway and I don't want to make them worse. Edit: Would that light help you see through a constantly dark lens?
this is priceless information I used to have better vision and did not require additional lighting but as I have grown older my vision has deteriorated and love your input THANK YOU VERY MUCH
I did a lot of underwater welding some years back at a marine repair outfit in Dutch Harbor. We used Kirby Morgan welding/diving helmets with Speedglass, radio, and brilliant bright lights on them. I always thought how much better you can see with the lights on the helmet under water, and how I struggled to see in the shop sometimes. I never got around to putting a light on my shop hood but just kept on fighting it. There's no telling how many welds I could've done better if I could have had better lighting. You have a great idea there. With the killer LED lights you can buy now, why not do it! I don't think I've ever seen a welding hood with a light installed from the factory. I also have a Lincoln Viking hood. These have the clearest view ever for welding. First thing tomorrow, I'm going to stick a light to it. Kind thanks for reminding my dumb ass. Instant LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! Greetings from Alaska.
I had this very thought just last night. With the artic blast Texas received, power has been out for millions. Anyway, I was using my head light to navigate around the house, when it occurred to me that a head light would be a great addition to my welding hood. Thanks for adding credence to my notion. Great vid!
Why didn't this hit my algorithm 2 days ago, just welded an inner wing and had a small hand light I had to keep moving it around to see. Great tip though, I'm velcro stripping my welding hood tomorrow, for next time. 👍
An amazing feat..Turning attaching a light to a welding helmet into a whole twelve minutes and twelve seconds hoowee. I probably couldve only juiced 2 mins from that turnip.
I wondered about doing this but thought it would set the sensor off....so glad i saw this and you showed how it works....I will be doing this now and will tell other students in my welding class about this too. Thank you!
I'm an old man. I remember when those automatic dimming helmets came out. I tried it. And got the worse flash burn of my life back then. I'll stick with a little inconvenience before I trust one of those things again. Basic old school Jackson helmet is the way to go.
This is not making sense to me. I was curious as to how effective this would be. Myself and a friend tested this with a tig torch and found no difference whatsoever. We repeated the experiment with the welder yelling "off or on" to the guy switching the light on or off. That was me. The welder could see no differance. We could not replicate the results of people who say this makes a difference. If anyone feels there was fault in our testing procedure I am open to the discussion.
Great review. Just starting getting back into welding and at 75 I find it kind of hard seeing where I need to run the weld. Thought of a headlight and saw your video and Wala, and you also answered my question does it dim the hood. Thanks much.. Dave.....
Integrate the light into the helmet without it sticking outward. 3D print a bracket attachment that retains the light better. Or embed it into the helmet with a shield that doesn't react adversely to it's ability to adjust light.
yeah , YOU should get right on that and then you can sell it to the rest of us that don't have a 3D machine or want to take the time to learn how to 3D model a bracket to fit a certain light or make out own helmet with light embeded into it with a shield - can't wait to see you product
I like the idea and the headlamp is a good model. Bugger that amazon has them for $30 Aus here. We can't buy from normal amazon, just the crappy Australian version. So many cool things I cant have.
Eveready is better with one click on and one click off, if clicked quickly then it goes to dim modes. Wheres the cure for fogged up welding lens.........
Wow !! Honestly an awesome idea. I just went to Amazon now and ordered the light and Velcro using your links. Thank you !! I was thinking of buying a lamp to put on my welding table, but this works much better and is portable !!
This is a age old trick for boilermakers. We’ve been riveting headlamps to flip front shields for decades. Once you have it you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it years ago!
Great Idea... but Lazada and/or Shopee has the same thing (ie: lamp that is even USB rechargeable) for about $3.00. I bought several and if you don't use them on the full light setting (which is to bright for me anyway) they last several hours and/or all day. I use them everyday and they help my aging eyes tremendously. Hope that helps... Thumbs Up on the video from a subscriber !!
If you're applying velcro or double sided tape in a cold environment, it helps to hit it briefly with a heat gun or hairdryer after you stick it on. Really helps it to adhere better.
Thanks for the idea! I just realized I had a Gopro LED lamp gathering dust, so all I had to do was stick it to the helmet. As a bonus, I can attach the GoPro camera at the same time.
