diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals.dm b/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals.dm
index d5976fd8870..e3b66881cae 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals.dm
@@ -277,6 +277,8 @@
 	#define COMPONENT_BLOCK_SHARPEN_BLOCKED 2
 	#define COMPONENT_BLOCK_SHARPEN_ALREADY 4
 	#define COMPONENT_BLOCK_SHARPEN_MAXED 8
+#define COMSIG_TOOL_IN_USE "tool_in_use"						///from base of [/obj/item/proc/tool_check_callback]: (mob/living/user)
+#define COMSIG_TOOL_START_USE "tool_start_use"					///from base of [/obj/item/proc/tool_start_check]: (mob/living/user)
 
 // /obj/item signals for economy
 #define COMSIG_ITEM_SOLD "item_sold"							//called when an item is sold by the exports subsystem
diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/spaceman_dmm.dm b/code/__DEFINES/spaceman_dmm.dm
index b9c0544bc10..4d9c0993fb1 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/spaceman_dmm.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/spaceman_dmm.dm
@@ -6,10 +6,14 @@
 	#define RETURN_TYPE(X) set SpacemanDMM_return_type = X
 	#define SHOULD_CALL_PARENT(X) set SpacemanDMM_should_call_parent = X
 	#define UNLINT(X) SpacemanDMM_unlint(X)
+	#define SHOULD_NOT_OVERRIDE(X) set SpacemanDMM_should_not_override = X
+	#define VAR_FINAL var/SpacemanDMM_final
 #else
 	#define RETURN_TYPE(X)
 	#define SHOULD_CALL_PARENT(X)
 	#define UNLINT(X) X
+	#define SHOULD_NOT_OVERRIDE(X)
+	#define VAR_FINAL var
 #endif
 
 /world/proc/enable_debugger()
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem.dm
index 24390c59235..5cf2407002c 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem.dm
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
 
 //This is used so the mc knows when the subsystem sleeps. do not override.
 /datum/controller/subsystem/proc/ignite(resumed = 0)
+	SHOULD_NOT_OVERRIDE(TRUE)
 	set waitfor = 0
 	. = SS_SLEEPING
 	fire(resumed)
diff --git a/code/datums/elements/tool_flash.dm b/code/datums/elements/tool_flash.dm
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..622fe51c12e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/datums/elements/tool_flash.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/**
+  * Tool flash bespoke element
+  *
+  * Flashes the user when using this tool
+  */
+/datum/element/tool_flash
+	element_flags = ELEMENT_BESPOKE
+	id_arg_index = 2
+	/// Strength of the flash
+	var/flash_strength
+
+/datum/element/tool_flash/Attach(datum/target, flash_strength)
+	. = ..()
+	if(!isitem(target))
+		return ELEMENT_INCOMPATIBLE
+
+	src.flash_strength = flash_strength
+
+	RegisterSignal(target, COMSIG_TOOL_IN_USE, .proc/prob_flash)
+	RegisterSignal(target, COMSIG_TOOL_START_USE, .proc/flash)
+
+/datum/element/tool_flash/Detach(datum/source, force)
+	. = ..()
+	UnregisterSignal(source, list(COMSIG_TOOL_IN_USE, COMSIG_TOOL_START_USE))
+
+/datum/element/tool_flash/proc/prob_flash(datum/source, mob/living/user)
+	if(prob(90))
+		return
+	flash(source, user)
+
+/datum/element/tool_flash/proc/flash(datum/source, mob/living/user)
+	if(user && get_dist(get_turf(source), get_turf(user)) <= 1)
+		user.flash_act(min(flash_strength,1))
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items.dm b/code/game/objects/items.dm
index 6ae21403d9c..1f561c3706f 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items.dm
@@ -816,7 +816,9 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(embedpocalypse, FALSE) // if true, all items will be able to emb
 // Called before use_tool if there is a delay, or by use_tool if there isn't.
 // Only ever used by welding tools and stacks, so it's not added on any other use_tool checks.
 /obj/item/proc/tool_start_check(mob/living/user, amount=0)
-	return tool_use_check(user, amount)
+	. = tool_use_check(user, amount)
+	if(.)
+		SEND_SIGNAL(src, COMSIG_TOOL_START_USE, user)
 
 // A check called by tool_start_check once, and by use_tool on every tick of delay.
 /obj/item/proc/tool_use_check(mob/living/user, amount)
@@ -837,9 +839,12 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(embedpocalypse, FALSE) // if true, all items will be able to emb
 
 		playsound(target, played_sound, volume, TRUE)
 
-// Used in a callback that is passed by use_tool into do_after call. Do not override, do not call manually.
+/// Used in a callback that is passed by use_tool into do_after call. Do not override, do not call manually.
 /obj/item/proc/tool_check_callback(mob/living/user, amount, datum/callback/extra_checks)
-	return tool_use_check(user, amount) && (!extra_checks || extra_checks.Invoke())
+	SHOULD_NOT_OVERRIDE(TRUE)
+	. = tool_use_check(user, amount) && (!extra_checks || extra_checks.Invoke())
+	if(.)
+		SEND_SIGNAL(src, COMSIG_TOOL_IN_USE, user)
 
 // Returns a numeric value for sorting items used as parts in machines, so they can be replaced by the rped
 /obj/item/proc/get_part_rating()
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/tools/weldingtool.dm b/code/game/objects/items/tools/weldingtool.dm
index 62b49d8d887..684b84623a4 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/tools/weldingtool.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/tools/weldingtool.dm
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@
 	var/change_icons = 1
 	var/can_off_process = 0
 	var/light_intensity = 2 //how powerful the emitted light is when used.
-	var/progress_flash_divisor = 10
 	var/burned_fuel_for = 0	//when fuel was last removed
 	heat = 3800
 	tool_behaviour = TOOL_WELDER
@@ -45,6 +44,7 @@
 /obj/item/weldingtool/ComponentInitialize()
 	. = ..()
 	AddElement(/datum/element/update_icon_updates_onmob)
+	AddElement(/datum/element/tool_flash, light_intensity)
 
 /obj/item/weldingtool/update_icon_state()
 	if(welding)
@@ -245,22 +245,6 @@
 /obj/item/weldingtool/proc/isOn()
 	return welding
 
-// When welding is about to start, run a normal tool_use_check, then flash a mob if it succeeds.
-/obj/item/weldingtool/tool_start_check(mob/living/user, amount=0)
-	. = tool_use_check(user, amount)
-	if(. && user && get_dist(get_turf(src), get_turf(user)) <= 1)
-		user.flash_act(light_intensity)
-
-// Flash the user during welding progress
-/obj/item/weldingtool/tool_check_callback(mob/living/user, amount, datum/callback/extra_checks)
-	. = ..()
-	if(. && user && get_dist(get_turf(src), get_turf(user)) <= 1)
-		if (progress_flash_divisor == 0)
-			user.flash_act(min(light_intensity,1))
-			progress_flash_divisor = initial(progress_flash_divisor)
-		else
-			progress_flash_divisor--
-
 // If welding tool ran out of fuel during a construction task, construction fails.
 /obj/item/weldingtool/tool_use_check(mob/living/user, amount)
 	if(!isOn() || !check_fuel())
diff --git a/code/modules/events/_event.dm b/code/modules/events/_event.dm
index f76f0e50675..d1578a216d3 100644
--- a/code/modules/events/_event.dm
+++ b/code/modules/events/_event.dm
@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@
 //Do not override this proc, instead use the appropiate procs.
 //This proc will handle the calls to the appropiate procs.
 /datum/round_event/process()
+	SHOULD_NOT_OVERRIDE(TRUE)
 	if(!processing)
 		return
 
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/special.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/special.dm
index d8d45e093c8..8fd73a90cc1 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/special.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/special.dm
@@ -133,14 +133,13 @@
 	usesound = list('sound/items/welder.ogg', 'sound/items/welder2.ogg')
 	tool_behaviour = TOOL_WELDER
 	toolspeed = 0.7 //plasmacutters can be used as welders, and are faster than standard welders
-	var/progress_flash_divisor = 10  //copypasta is best pasta
-	var/light_intensity = 1
 	var/charge_weld = 25 //amount of charge used up to start action (multiplied by amount) and per progress_flash_divisor ticks of welding
 
 /obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/ComponentInitialize()
 	. = ..()
 	AddComponent(/datum/component/butchering, 25, 105, 0, 'sound/weapons/plasma_cutter.ogg')
 	AddElement(/datum/element/update_icon_blocker)
+	AddElement(/datum/element/tool_flash, 1)
 
 /obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/examine(mob/user)
 	. = ..()
@@ -163,13 +162,6 @@
 	else
 		..()
 
-// Tool procs, in case plasma cutter is used as welder
-// Can we start welding?
-/obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/tool_start_check(mob/living/user, amount)
-	. = tool_use_check(user, amount)
-	if(. && user)
-		user.flash_act(light_intensity)
-
 // Can we weld? Plasma cutter does not use charge continuously.
 // Amount cannot be defaulted to 1: most of the code specifies 0 in the call.
 /obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/tool_use_check(mob/living/user, amount)
@@ -188,17 +180,6 @@
 /obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/use(amount)
 	return (!QDELETED(cell) && cell.use(amount ? amount * charge_weld : charge_weld))
 
-// This only gets called by use_tool(delay > 0)
-// It's also supposed to not get overridden in the first place.
-/obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/tool_check_callback(mob/living/user, amount, datum/callback/extra_checks)
-	. = ..() //return tool_use_check(user, amount) && (!extra_checks || extra_checks.Invoke())
-	if(. && user)
-		if (progress_flash_divisor == 0)
-			user.flash_act(min(light_intensity,1))
-			progress_flash_divisor = initial(progress_flash_divisor)
-		else
-			progress_flash_divisor--
-
 /obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/use_tool(atom/target, mob/living/user, delay, amount=1, volume=0, datum/callback/extra_checks)
 	if(amount)
 		. = ..()
diff --git a/code/modules/research/nanites/nanite_programs.dm b/code/modules/research/nanites/nanite_programs.dm
index 50ff6f4a846..d480ec0a146 100644
--- a/code/modules/research/nanites/nanite_programs.dm
+++ b/code/modules/research/nanites/nanite_programs.dm
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
 
 	//Extra settings
 	///Don't ever override this or I will come to your house and stand menacingly behind a bush
-	var/list/extra_settings = list()
+	VAR_FINAL/list/extra_settings = list()
 
 	//Rules
 	//Rules that automatically manage if the program's active without requiring separate sensor programs
diff --git a/tgstation.dme b/tgstation.dme
index be256b5e849..b12a58a2755 100644
--- a/tgstation.dme
+++ b/tgstation.dme
@@ -534,6 +534,7 @@
 #include "code\datums\elements\selfknockback.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\snail_crawl.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\squish.dm"
+#include "code\datums\elements\tool_flash.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\update_icon_blocker.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\update_icon_updates_onmob.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\waddling.dm"