Added LED strips to Welding Helmet

[MCKDAVID]

definitely helps me with additional lighting now, as above I over simplified things too, cheap head torch, (less than a tenner from decathlon), hot glued it on, works fine, been there for a couple of years now I guess, same batteries too, these LEDs draw little current.. massive improvement, at least I can now see how bad the weld looks... no real additional weight you don't really notice it.
I agree with Ron, it makes such a difference, I can't understand why they're not an standard option either... I have put them on my other lids as well.

 

[Memmeddu]

Light on the helmet is something I never felt need for
But I can understand that in some cases in tight spots could be very handy to have
But in my experience is something you could avoid
But is just my personal opinion and I repeat I never felt the need , maybe a day I could

 

[SteScouse]

Try a different helmet - it can make a big difference - and if using a Mig I found that an Argon mix is easier to see than using CO2. I use CO2 though as it is cheap and I usually weld very thick stuff.

Totally agree. I was surprised how much more i could see when i went from old Sip Meteor to a Jackson WF20, and not expensive either, under £50.

With a magnifying lens fitted my welds improved a lot

I've recently bought the IFL helmet and it is good but apart from bigger viewing area no better than the Jackson which was a little cheaper

Two minor issues with the IFL that dont happen or apply to the Jackson.

First is 4 sensors cause auto darkening to flick on and off rapidly when welding outside, which i have to do, no choice currently

Couple of small pieces of insulation tape blocking 2 sensors fix that and then its as stable as the Jackson

Second is delay function, hardly any difference between MIN & MAX settings, with Jackson delay s much more noticeable

That said to me as a hobbyist these issues are not significant enough for me to complain or return the helmet, its a good helmet

The Jackson is also good, for the price its very good. But have to say its the second one I've had

First one was permanently dark, in effect a passive helmet, returned and replaced in short order

Seller was ace however and second helmet faultless ever since

Finally i realise the two helmets probably not a patch on top end ESAB's, Lincolns and Optrels

But those are way out of my budget and just trying to give an opinion on more economical gear

 

[ibrooks]

My problem tends to be when there's not much light on the area I'm working on but there is light behind me (workshop lights, sunlight through the windows etc.). Having a light I can point at the workpiece helps so I do think there's a place for lights on the helmet and I do have some LEDs and a battery pack that I'm going to bodge on there at some point when I'm bored. For the moment I've sometimes found a hood enclosing the rear of the helmet can help if I can't re-position myself, the work or the light source that's causing the problem. Adding a head-torch looks a nice simple solution but I already struggle sometimes getting my head, helmet and torch into the places I weld but then that's a function of the things I'm usually welding.

On a similar note (things I've often thought would be useful when welding but no-one seems to produce) I found myself thinking the other week that I'd have been far more comfortable and therefore my welds would have been far better if I had a bean-bag to support me when trying to weld in a difficult position..... and then I thought of just how bad the idea of lying on a thin fabric bag filled with expanded polystyrene below a weld would be. Scary idea. So I started speculating about a non-flammable version but the best I could come up with was a big shot bag. It certainly wouldn't blow away in the wind. Assuming I could heave it into a suitable position (a three shredded wheat job I'd imagine) to actually lie/lounge on I'd imagine it would probably channel any molten blobs to sit against tender ares of my anatomy too. Needless to say I'm not looking to make a huge leather bag to fill with a ton of lead shot any time soon.

 

[Memmeddu]

A welding cap ?

 

[ibrooks]

A welding cap ?

Doesn't fill the space between my head and the helmet so light still gets in. I did buy a cheapo leather hood with an auto-darkening unit in it after the job in question as it's a much more "snug" fit on my bonce and therefore won't be as bulky in tight spaces. Of course that means I won't have a job like that to do for ages and when I need it the batteries in the module of the hood will be shot.