Welding Helmet with built in lights? Or Not?

[Martin Brody]

Hi folks,

I need to buy a new welding helmet as my (old) eyes need as much help as they can get and I understand the True Colour type of mask are a good thing to have.

I am a hobby welder in that I don't do it professionally. I can go 6 months without touching a welder and then sometimes I might spend an entire weekend welding depending on what I need to make or repair (a professional welder would probably do the job in a quarter of the time, lol). When I do need to weld I work on bikes, cars, diggers, tractors and general fabrication etc.

Looking online I have noted that a few helmet come with built in lights/torches so before I buy I was wondering what peoples opinions of them are? I did try a search of this forum but of course "Light" and "Torch" give a million results but none about this particular topic that I could find.

My budget is up to £250ish, I could go a bit more if needed although I am obviously not determined to spend all of that if there is something for a bit less that is just as good.

Any thoughts on if the built in lights are just a gimmick or a useful addition?

Thanks.

 

[Onthespotwelding]

Why not buy a separate magnetic torch and just have it to hand when your welding?

I have a gys alien xxl helmet which is a good budget helmet.

I also have a esab sentinel a60 which is better but obviously more money.

 

[Martin Brody]

Why not buy a separate magnetic torch and just have it to hand when your welding?

I have a gys alien xxl helmet which is a good budget helmet.

I also have a esab sentinel a60 which is better but obviously more money.

I do do that already but sometimes there isn't a convenient spot to put the magnetic torch which is why I pondered the usefulness of the lights that built in to a helmet.

The ESAB Sentinel A60 is one of the helmets on my list of possibilities, its just within my budget (if I stretch it slightly).

Thanks,

 

[Onthespotwelding]

The ESAB Sentinel A60 is one of the helmets on my list of possibilities, its just within my budget (if I stretch it slightly).

Budgets are supposed to budge

None of the top branded helmet makers have lights on their helmets. Nuff said really.

 

[tom2207]

A cheap rechargeable led light may be the answer , will do many other jobs too . The reason I say cheap is that it will end up with burn marks and dots and grinding dust all over it ,, so it needs to be cheap enough not to have to worry about it .

 

[Martin Brody]

Budgets are supposed to budge

None of the top branded helmet makers have lights on their helmets. Nuff said really.

That is a good point. Although I would add that the ESAB Savage A50 LUX does have a built in light and was the helmet that prompted my question.

A cheap rechargeable led light may be the answer , will do many other jobs too . The reason I say cheap is that it will end up with burn marks and dots and grinding dust all over it ,, so it needs to be cheap enough not to have to worry about it .

Thats what I use now. I have 8 or 10 different lights of different shapes and sizes. I find that if I am in a cramped space I end up knocking the light off and then have to mess about looking for it and putting it back. If I were not welding I use a head torch which eliminates the issue in tight spaces.

p.s. my gripe with many worklight providers, and partly the reason I have as many, is they are always advertised as having a "strong magnet" and then when you get them you find that the magnet is pathetic. But that is the subject for a different discussion.

 

[chip]

That is a good point. Although I would add that the ESAB Savage A50 LUX does have a built in light and was the helmet that prompted my question.

I was looking hard at one of those myself as the lightings bad at my home setup.. I ended up buying a cordless led light with a magnetic swivel base.

 

[tom2207]

That is a good point. Although I would add that the ESAB Savage A50 LUX does have a built in light and was the helmet that prompted my question.



Thats what I use now. I have 8 or 10 different lights of different shapes and sizes. I find that if I am in a cramped space I end up knocking the light off and then have to mess about looking for it and putting it back. If I were not welding I use a head torch which eliminates the issue in tight spaces.

p.s. my gripe with many worklight providers, and partly the reason I have as many, is they are always advertised as having a "strong magnet" and then when you get them you find that the magnet is pathetic. But that is the subject for a different discussion.

look at something like a peli lite , they do led lights designed for uniform caps , think police etc , peli are not cheap , but you may be able to adapt something to suit , I imagine that a helmet mounted light would get knocked off easily , someone , maybe fronius does an led lit mig torch , again the idea seems good , but how long would it last , the main issue with magnetic led lights not being that sticky is that usually your trying to get them to stick to thin rusty metal with paint falling off and the base is often covered in iron grindings ,,, not ideal conditions but way better than the ols squeeze clip metal caged household bulbs we used to calll inspection lamps ,,,

 

[Martin Brody]

....... the main issue with magnetic led lights not being that sticky is that usually your trying to get them to stick to thin rusty metal with paint falling off and the base is often covered in iron grindings ,,, not ideal conditions but way better than the ols squeeze clip metal caged household bulbs we used to calll inspection lamps ,,,

I agree although I have one light that has a really strong magnet that sticks to rusty metal even when covered in filings. Most others are less powerful than advertised.

I have one of those caged inspection lights with a clamp. Not used it for at least a couple of decades.

 

[Martin Brody]

Based on the discussion so far I think I will go for a mask without an integral light.

Pondering the issue of rubbish magnets, I have a couple of lights that are great except for the magnet. I think I am going to see if I can extract the existing magnets and replace them with something more powerful.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Keithmac]

I bought a Snap-on magnetic LED light for welding under the car.

As others have said they do take a bit of hammer, would be good to have a replaceable screen to protect the lense.

The headband type torches are cheap and very bright, you could strap one of them around the helmet.

 

[iNf]

Could you just (hot)glue, double sided tape or velcro a light onto the helmet.

 

[Mark 2]

If it's your eyesight (like mine) much better to improve the overall lighting situation as that will apply to marking, cutting and potential customers in the peripheral.

 

[Martin Brody]

If it's your eyesight (like mine) much better to improve the overall lighting situation as that will apply to marking, cutting and potential customers in the peripheral.

Alas, it is my eyes. I am old. Old father time gets to us all.

Its more of an issue under a vehicle or similar where lighting is poor anyway.

I am mid way through upgrading my workshop lighting although its being done in phases as its quite a bit bigger than, say, a double garage. I have the next 8 light fittings on the bench (been there a few weeks actually) ready to be fitted. Too many other jobs taking priority.

 

[Prajna]

That is a good point. Although I would add that the ESAB Savage A50 LUX does have a built in light and was the helmet that prompted my question.



Thats what I use now. I have 8 or 10 different lights of different shapes and sizes. I find that if I am in a cramped space I end up knocking the light off and then have to mess about looking for it and putting it back. If I were not welding I use a head torch which eliminates the issue in tight spaces.

p.s. my gripe with many worklight providers, and partly the reason I have as many, is they are always advertised as having a "strong magnet" and then when you get them you find that the magnet is pathetic. But that is the subject for a different discussion.

I have a A50 Savage with no light. It's a very good lid.

 

[trigger3]

what about a better light over your work bench then a helmet with 2.5 resting shade. thats probly what i would do. speedglas has a new 2.5 helmet and its nice. cost slightly more than a60 but i think youll be happier with speedglas

 

[trigger3]

it adds to the cost but you can attach a led work light made specific for these helmets.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I have some LED lamps with a strap, intended for use on the head but will go around the welding helmet. Aliexpress tat so cheap enough to replace when burnt.

 

[mike 109444]

Get yourself down to the £ shop and pick up some of these

 

[Barking Mat]

I find an anglepoise lamp to be a godsend sometimes.