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Welding Lighting

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Fireball, Mar 22, 2023.

  1. Mar 22, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    It's about time I start improving my welding. Above all I need practice, but I'm also working on external issues affecting the final product.

    One of my biggest difficulties is not being able to see where I'm going. I can see the puddle but I can't see my path once the hood darkens. This leads to me occasionally drifting off course. I've identified two primary confounding issues.
    1. Lighting. I have bright shop lights but not bright enough to light my work piece, especially when I'm bent over with my face in the weld making a shadow.
    2. Glare from the shop lighting on the inside of the helmet. Enough light gets around my head to cause problems. I can see my shop lights reflected back at me on the inside of the glass.
    To combat the first problem I've been using work lights but there usually isn't a good way to get it aimed where I need it. For a better solution I bought this loading dock light from Amazon and mounted it over the welding table:
    [​IMG]

    It's got a really bright LED, a 40" reach, and complete adjustability. I think it will help a lot:
    [​IMG]

    I've welded with a towel over my head to combat the second problem. That's not really a great solution so I've ordered this hood that clips on the back of your helmet:
    [​IMG]

    I've got some scrap ready to got so hopefully I'll find some time during the week for practice.

    I'll report back how much difference these two items make for me.
     
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  2. Mar 22, 2023
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    I’m a drifter also. Must use reading glasses and I have a couple small magnetic base flashlights that I use for better lighting.
     
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  3. Mar 22, 2023
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    847
    Progressive lenses do not work, buy the time you focus on the puddle, it's too late and your off the mark. A set of dedicated reading glasses work for me and I use work lights behind me to help me stay on the line. I need to get some cheaters to put in the helmet. The old Speedglass is very worn. Been thinking about the Optrel Crystal 2.0. Great reviews, but pricey.
    Work lights from Home Depot:
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1000-Lumens-LED-Portable-Work-Light-LG302C-10W1/320259663


    Dave
     
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  4. Mar 22, 2023
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    and all this time . I thought welding made it's own light
    I like the rear cover . welding outside
    I still use old school hood with a cheater lens
    but at my age . hand shaking is automatic puddle control . takes both hand to weld now
     
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  5. Mar 22, 2023
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I have used a bandana taped to the back of my helmet, to block sunlight. Helps a lot.

    And yeah, lining up the sweet spot in my prescription lenses takes attention but makes a big difference.

    And I'm not too proud to use one finger on my "off" hand to steady or guide the rod.
     
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  6. Mar 22, 2023
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Go down a shade. The light might help, I basically weld in the dark. TIG welding will make you stay on target through sheer practice..Learn with a fixed lense first maybe? 10X? Some auto darkening helmets go to 12X and youre never going to see anything.

    The optrel panoramax http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/154034/#post-1765418 has amazing optics and all the new competitors seem to be similar. The clarity is quite good inside and terrible outside.

    To stay on target, make a pass as practice and put your hands where they need to be. I always weld with 2 hands for mig or arc. Brace yourself and get comfortable.

    Honestly, outside in the sun, the auto darkening hoods are a bit annoying. Flashing on and off, increasing darkness and what not..
     
  7. Mar 22, 2023
    Stakebed

    Stakebed Member

    Lake Co....
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    I was thinking the same. If you can't see the path just from the welding light, maybe too much shade. I currently have my hood set to #9 while I've been MIG welding on higher settings. I'm nearsighted so even at 61, I weld without corrective lenses.
     
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  8. Mar 22, 2023
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Me too.
    When I TIG weld on small stuff I set it down lower or higher if stainless.
     
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  9. Mar 22, 2023
    Frogfarm

    Frogfarm 1978 CJ5 2023 Sponsor

    Cottage Grove, OR
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    Old School welder here and I just to a quick look at the link you attached and need to read thru it.

    Poor eyesight my whole life and it just keeps getting worse. Cataracts are starting to take over. I weld with a fixed lens and just have never made the move to auto-darkening. Keep one hood set up for MIG and one for TIG. Heck, I have not fired up my MIG welder for a couple of years. I still have welding leads and stinger for SMAW but have not waived the wand for over 20 years, keep it around just in case I may want to do some carbon arc work. Bottom line I guess I am lazy still find something to fab up a couple of times a week but always head to the TIG welder first even if I need to make a couple of extra passes.
     
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  10. Mar 22, 2023
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    Been running the TIG on #9 or lower.
    I find the light behind me helps a lot.
    The cataracts really make it hard to keep the puddle in view.
    Thinking a new Clear View helmet might help also. The old Speedglas helmet is really showing it age.


    Dave
     
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  11. Mar 22, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Running #9 on the helmet.
     
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  12. Mar 22, 2023
    Stakebed

    Stakebed Member

    Lake Co....
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    Now that brings back memories. Few welders use the SMAW term and fewer still have carbon arc welded. Dad showed me how to carbon arc with silicon bronze rod in the late seventies. Thank Dad.
     
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  13. Mar 22, 2023
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
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    Fallowing this thread with interest. Based on my 45+ years as a professional welder, I see many comments I both agree with and of course disagree with but just my thoughts.

    You are on the right path with your lighting. It helps greatly to have a bright work light and the added light at your welding station will help but what happens when under your car in a confining position? Just something to think about. Position your work light so that it aluminates not only the location where the weld starts but also the path of the weld. You are only concentrating on an area of about 2 to 3 square inches at any given time. The to be welded area will come into view as the welded area will pass out of view.

    Shop lights you say are bright but cause problems because of reflections. Two things come to mind there. Turn off the lights in the background that are reflecting in your weld lense. Hopefully the shop lights are zoned and if not, change your position or hang a weld curtain separating you from those lights.

    The other is, just how large of a weld hood do you have? I know the latest rage are hoods with auto-darkening feature and a large lense. Believe it or not, my eye site is too important to me to put my faith in technology that may or may not function when needed, therefore I still use my 40+ year old Jackson hood that works just fine for me. I know I am ultrasensitive to eye protection, but I never knew my grandfather when he could see because of a industrial accident. If I need to darken, I just nod my head. Also, just how large is your hood. My old hood fits comfortably and the placement of my head actually blocks the reflection of light coming from behind me. I personally weld with a #10 shade lense. I realize different shades are needed based on the conditions but again my eye site is to important and therefore lense shade is important for protection. I can improve the work lighting to improve the conditions. Also, you want to see a bright light, try carbon arc welding as "Stakebed" noted or arc gouging with a 3/8" or 1/2" carbon and a welding machine turned up to 4-500 amps. There is nothing between you and that light but your dark lense.

    With regard to glasses, As "Dave Deyton" says, progressive don't work. Get a good pair of glasses or a cheater lense.

    Lastly, get some type of ventilation for your workstation. Your lungs will thank you.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2023
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  14. Mar 22, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Thanks for taking the time to write this up. Lots of good info.

    Last time I was welding I did shut off the lights on one side of the shop and kept that to my back. It helped a lot.

    As far as being under a dark car in a confining position, I need to be able to lay a good bead in the best of conditions before I can even think about that.
     
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  15. Mar 22, 2023
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I thought I'm the only one. :shock:

    Maybe we can start a support group :)
     
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  16. Mar 22, 2023
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    :rofl:Seems like some of my best beads are right beside where I was aiming.

    Dave
     
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  17. Mar 24, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Reporting back.

    1). One error in my previous postings; my helmet was set to 10.5 not 9. I have it set at the recommended 10 now.

    2). The hood for the back of the welding helmet works great and I don't have to turn off half the shop lights to prevent glare anymore. It will probably be less fun on hot summer days, but then I can pull the hood off and turn the lights off again.

    3) The super bright work light over the welding area has helped a lot. I can actually see where I'm going now.

    4) I remembered to use my reading glasses while welding and that was also a big help.

    Mostly on path for a change:
    [​IMG]

    With all that stuff addressed, I have nothing to blame but myself for future poor welds. Time to start practicing. Particularly my inverted V's while vertical welding.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2023
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  18. Mar 26, 2023
    JeepinJewels

    JeepinJewels New Member

    Post Falls, ID
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    Oct 16, 2011
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    I use a cheater lens in my helmet and a light with a flexible arm that I can point to wherever I’m welding. Eastwood has a few lights with the flexible arms.
     
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  19. Apr 7, 2023
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Nothing wrong with that bead!-Donny
     
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