Funny Bob, I was just under the dash doing some wiring. I haven't upholstered my Glide seat yet and they have those zig zag springs...well, my cargo short's pockets got caught in the springs and I thought I was going to have to call the paramedics to get me the hell out of there. Fortunately, my shorts were a bit loose and I slithered out of them. Glad that wasn't on camera.
Yo bruh, that's a visual we coulda done without... But I'm not gonna bag on ya too much (****, another visual) cuz I too have been packaged in the bargain big size. Season that **** with a bad back and other ailments I feel like a big dog who's whiskers tell him he won't fit
I bought one of those Steck lights from Eastwood a while back but haven't had much chance to really try it out. All the welding I have done lately has been outside in bright sunlight. I've used those 500 watt halogen work lights as work lights on cars ever since I first spotted them in the stores. Had one hanging above my work bench in my shed when I worked on the dairy and it helped a lot when I had to work on stuff for the dairy that I could take inside. Back in the mid 90's I changed a clutch on my 48 in 0 F weather by jacking it up, covering it with tarps so I just had a little crawl hole under the running board and I put two of those lights in under it. Had the help of two cats to get that project done so I could drive it to work the next day. I usually use one of the square LED work lights from Costco now. I completely forgot about this thread when I ordered the mig light. I've got one of those clamps for my 590 that I haven't used yet.
I don't know how many times people have asked me to "take 5 minutes and show them how to weld". After the 5 minutes, they get mad when I tell them they need to get their eyes checked because they can't see what they're doing. After 60 years of welding on everything from water towers to nuclear power houses, I'm having trouble seeing the puddle now. I'm scheduled to have my first cataract surgery this coming Friday, the second one about 3 weeks later and I'm hoping that when they are done, I'll be able to see clearly enough to go back to doing what I'm good at. As for the lights, I'm all for whatever makes it easier for the welder to see what he or she is doing. I just bought my first auto-darkening helmet and was surprised how much it helped. Never knew I was THAT good.
I got one of those snap in cheater lenses, but the danged thing sure likes to fog up. So now I find myself holding my breath a lot, but that means I can only TIG about 3/4"!
I’ll be darn, I never have that problem with mine. Maybe bandanna your nose and mouth? Or a face mask might stop it?
Try Rain-Ex, or anti-fog spray that scuba divers use. Oh, and I just noticed, the OP of this thread p***ed away last year..
I have this same mig light and love it. I got a pack of spare lenses as the lenses do get spattered and smoked up, and need changing occasionally. If you build a homemade one figure some way to put a protective film or lens over it or find spare lenses to replace.
My wife knows how much I rely on lights when I'm messing with my junk, especially under the dash or under the car. She never misses a chance to give me another useful but often bizarre flashlight for Christmas or my B-day. Not too useful for welding but check this little guy out.... Adios....Lol
I progressed from taping an HF light on the mig to using a halogen work light to this which i was just gifted. Magnet in base allows it to stick to fender while I patch floor.
Sorry to hear about the OP but he started a good thread and it looks like it's still relevant. Thanks for that, @FNG.
Makeshift replacement lens for flashlights in my toy box, I have cut them out of a plastic orange juice bottle and they worked great and cheap. Just a suggestion.
I tried one of those mount on lights for my mig and it was a waste of time. Now I use either of the above, $14-19 CDN at Princess Auto. A great deal of light for sure. I was a pretty good grinder now I’m getting to be a pretty good welder!
If you have that problem when you're 130 feet off the ground and you smoke, break a cigarette apart, dampen the tobacco and rub it over the inside of your lens. If you don't, bum one off of your buddy who does. BTW, it works at ground level too.
I also use a couple magnetic LED task lights that are extremely helpful! They attach to a flat surface and have two lamps, so you hit the switch once for one lamp and twice for two lamps. Batteries last forever, and over years I've only recharged them one time so far. Got mine from Northern Tool for under $15 each then, but they're $24 ea. now. Folding work lights.
I guess I missed this thread when it was originally started but it sure has some useful information on an important topic. I'm like many here that have vision issues (detached and torn retinas and glaucoma mainly). Cataract surgery was actually a help! The result is that seeing the weld or the area to be welded is extremely difficult at best. Thanks for the light suggestions and leads!
Used an articulating arm from a soldering stand with a pen light. Worked great but sadly is melted eventually
Don't know about that but if your pant leg is on fire and your aim is good, vomit might work for that .
I rigged up a simple light holder for my mig with 2 small hose clamps and a 1/4” wide piece of sheet metal bent into a S shape. Used a free HF flashlight to illuminate weld. Worked great! But the flashlight lense smoked all up after a few hours and became useless. Was great while it lasted. (Sorry, no pictures)
The Jalopy Journal
