diff --git a/code/game/objects/items.dm b/code/game/objects/items.dm
index be3f1709a9..0dcc23f3aa 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items.dm
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 GLOBAL_DATUM_INIT(fire_overlay, /mutable_appearance, mutable_appearance('icons/effects/fire.dmi', "fire"))
+GLOBAL_DATUM_INIT(welding_sparks, /mutable_appearance, mutable_appearance('icons/effects/welding_effect.dmi', "welding_sparks", GASFIRE_LAYER, ABOVE_LIGHTING_PLANE))
 
 GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(rpg_loot_items, FALSE)
 // if true, everyone item when created will have its name changed to be
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/tools/weldingtool.dm b/code/game/objects/items/tools/weldingtool.dm
index d93547e642..75e1c0a29b 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/tools/weldingtool.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/tools/weldingtool.dm
@@ -119,6 +119,11 @@
 	dyn_explosion(T, plasmaAmount/5)//20 plasma in a standard welder has a 4 power explosion. no breaches, but enough to kill/dismember holder
 	qdel(src)
 
+/obj/item/weldingtool/use_tool(atom/target, mob/living/user, delay, amount, volume, datum/callback/extra_checks)
+	target.add_overlay(GLOB.welding_sparks)
+	. = ..()
+	target.cut_overlay(GLOB.welding_sparks)
+
 /obj/item/weldingtool/attack(mob/living/carbon/human/H, mob/user)
 	if(!istype(H))
 		return ..()
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/special.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/special.dm
index 15acd40172..67abc977e2 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/special.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/special.dm
@@ -167,6 +167,11 @@
 /obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/use(amount)
 	return cell.use(amount * 100)
 
+/obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/use_tool(atom/target, mob/living/user, delay, amount, volume, datum/callback/extra_checks)
+	target.add_overlay(GLOB.welding_sparks)
+	. = ..()
+	target.cut_overlay(GLOB.welding_sparks)
+
 /obj/item/gun/energy/plasmacutter/adv
 	name = "advanced plasma cutter"
 	icon_state = "adv_plasmacutter"
diff --git a/icons/effects/welding_effect.dmi b/icons/effects/welding_effect.dmi
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8b8db2dcae
Binary files /dev/null and b/icons/effects/welding_effect.dmi differ