4 Best Pancake Welding Hood: Guide and Review

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Best Pancake Welding Hood
ImageProductRatingPrice
backpacPancake Welding Hood (Left and Right-Handed)5/5Check Price
backpacOriginal Pancake Welding Hood Right Hand4.7/5Check Price
backpacSarge’s Pancake Black Welding Hood Helmet Right Handed4.6/5Check Price
cordlessblowerWendy’s Pancake Welding Hood Helmet w/Strap – Right Handed4.6/5Check Price

Pancake welding hoods can be found in a variety of price ranges. The best pancake welding hood for your needs will depend on what you are looking for. For example, some people may want to buy one that is really affordable yet still effective, while others might want to spend more money but get a better quality product with increased durability and other features. 

There are many different types of pancake welders out there, so it’s important to know what you need before making the purchase! In this guide and review, we will discuss 4 of the best pancake welding hoods available today.

What Is Pancake Welding Hood?

A pancake welding hood is a protective face shield that fits over your head and neck. The hood has an extra-wide visor, which allows you to look down at the material below without obstruction. 

This provides excellent visibility when working in smaller places such as cars or motorcycles. Pancake welders are usually made of durable polycarbonate plastic with adjustable head straps. These are ideal for a wide variety of welding and other jobs that require extended periods with your head down looking at what you’re working on.

What Is The Difference Between Pancake Welding Hood And A Traditional Welding Helmet?

A traditional welding helmet covers the head and neck completely, with a small window in front of your face to look through. Unlike pancake hoods that are lifted on the forehead and attached above the ears, a traditional welder is very heavy. It’s also much more likely to get damaged due to its size and shape.

Some people find that a traditional welder interferes with their peripheral vision, making it difficult to see what is going on next to them while working. Pancake hoods provide much more visibility and comfort for most tasks involving extended periods of time looking down at an object below you.

Another difference between a pancake hood and a traditional welding helmet is the type of head protection provided. A standard welder covers your hair, neck, ears, forehead, and scalp while you are working. Pancake hoods only cover your eyes from debris and sparks flying up at them as well as provide some general upper body protection from low-flying sparks in the air.

The 4 Best Pancake Welding Hood In The Market

1. Pancake Welding Hood (Left and Right-Handed)

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A Pancake Welding Hood lets you weld without getting burned. This hood is lightweight and fits snugly over your face, blocking out bright light while redirecting behind-the-arc welding sparks or slag on the surface of a piece, keeping them from nearby bystanders and reducing hazardous exposure to metals that can be breathed in. 

Welders know what happens when they get too close to metal during arc welding. A nasty burn! With this handy welding accessory on hand, you’re not left vulnerable again.

Available in right-hand or left-hand models so that it’s easier for you to rework pancakes with your dominant arm free of noodles usually dangling from your sleeve.

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Adjustable
  • High Quality
  • Durable
Cons

    2. Original Pancake Welding Hood Right Hand

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    When welding, beware of the nose and eye weld splatter.  Original Pancake Welding Hood keeps the hot metal away from you while revealing a better field of vision. 

    Made fully out of balsa wood, this lightweight hood won’t burn your face or increase your fatigue after prolonged use. It allows for a single lens to be swapped more easily than with previous models too!

    Pros
    • Durable
    • Flexible
    • Blocks light from entering inside
    • Lightweight
    • High-quality material
    Cons
    • One buyer suggest modifying this hood if you have a bigger head

    3. Sarge’s Pancake Black Welding Hood Helmet Right Handed

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    Sarge’s Pancake Black Welding Hood Helmet is the original welding hood helmet for right-handed welders! It accommodates any standard lens, including a lens with a 5/8 inch depth, such as a cheater or Miller fixed shades. 

    The helmet is lightweight and weighs only 12.5 ounces with an 8″ x 10.5″ face shield and eyeglass protection to prevent injury to your eyes due to flying slag upon completion of any project or just goofing off around the shop, which requires safety glasses at all times, anyway, because even those “cool kids” know that you have to wear protective glasses every day if you like your

    vision in either of your two eyes!

    Pros
    • Can wear for extended hours
    • Comfortable
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • The strap may not be the highest quality

    4. Wendy’s Pancake Welding Hood Helmet w/Strap – Right Handed

    cordlessblowerMore Details

    Want to have the protection of a welding helmet, but hate the weight and lack of mobility? Look no further. Introducing Wendy’s new Pancake Welding Hood Helmet w/Strap Right Handed! Made with balsa wood and lightweight fabric, you’ll be able to get on your feet at any time without grinding those gears in your head. 

    With this handy pancake hood, you can still see unlike visors and full-face helmets, the elastic chin strap will save you from that dreaded neck pain after hours of work.

    Weighing in at only 1 pound with one adjustable elastic headband included for convenience. You’ll never want to go back!

    Pros
    • Durable and for long time use
    • Excellent quality
    Cons

      Choosing The Right Welding Hood For You

      If you work with your head down a lot, then it might be worth investing in the best pancake welding hood for your needs. Look for the following features:

      Ventilation

      Some pancake welding hoods have a mesh of plastic or metal in the visor, allowing for more airflow and preventing fogging. This is especially important if you work with gloves on as they will naturally make it harder to breathe through your nose.

      Width Adjustment

      This can be really helpful when trying to attach the hood to your face. You should have adequate space above and below your eyes for a comfortable fit when welding.

      Head Strap

      A head strap that is durable, adjustable, and fits securely around your head will help keep it from sliding down over time as you work or move about. This can be adjusted with relative ease so that you can quickly put your hood on and take it off again.

      Weight

      For many people, the weight of a welding helmet will be an important factor to consider before making their purchase. A pancake hood is much lighter than traditional helmets, but that doesn’t mean they are all lightweight! You should still try them out yourself to see how heavy they feel on your head before buying one.

      Price

      Your budget obviously plays a big part in determining which welding hood you will buy, but don’t cheap out just to save money as it may not last very long or provide the same quality of protection and comfort that higher-priced options offer. You get what you pay for!

      Durability

      This depends on the materials used to create your hood. The average pancake helmet will last around three years, but it really depends on how often you use it and other factors such as exposure to harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures. You should also make sure that a reputable brand makes the welding hood in order for it to provide the best protection and durability.

      Materials

      Most pancake welding hoods are made from a combination of steel and plastic, or even metal. If you’re working with harsh chemicals, it might be worth opting for mostly steel to ensure the best protection possible. Make sure any materials used are strong enough to withstand high heat as well as abrasions caused by flying sparks and metal pieces.

      Taking Care Of Your Pancake Welding Hood

      No matter what kind of welding hood you are using, it’s important to take care of it by cleaning and storing it safely. A dirty pancake hood can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria that could cause an infection if left unattended.

      Keep your helmet in a clean place when not in use, so that dirt or dust doesn’t get into the vents or on any of the internal components. Ideally, it should be kept in a hard case to prevent anything from getting inside and potentially damaging your welding hood.

      Take care not to scratch or gouge out parts of your pancake helmet, as this can compromise its structural integrity over time – especially when using sharp tools like screwdrivers near where the visor meets the rest of your hood.

      Regularly check that all parts are still intact and not about to break or fall off, as this could be a safety hazard if it occurs while you’re working with an open flame! Check for loose screws and make sure they haven’t worked themselves free over time.

      If your welding hood needs replacing or repairing, make sure you send it to a professional. If you try and fix the damage yourself, this will likely reduce its lifespan even further, especially if your workmanship is less than perfect!

      Pancake Welding Hood FAQ’s

      How hot will the inside of my welding hood get?

      This depends on how long you use your helmet and what kind of metal you’re working with.

      If it gets too hot, then this is a sign that either your work or ventilation isn’t up to scratch, so be sure not to do any more welding until everything has been fixed.


      Can I use a pancake welding hood in the rain?

      No, you should always take your helmet off before exposing it to any liquids even if those liquids are just water!

      It’s also not safe to use when exposed to extremely high temperatures as this can cause damage that could compromise its structural integrity and make it less safe to wear.


      How long will my pancake welding hood last?

      It depends on a number of factors, including how often you use it, the quality and materials used in construction, as well as other things like exposure to harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures. Generally speaking, though they are made from strong enough materials, they should last you between three and five years.


      Will my pancake welding hood protect me from radiation or infrared rays?

      No, these helmets are not designed to offer protection against X-rays or other types of harmful light waves. They aren’t the right kind of equipment for this type of job! You should always be using a full face mask if you need to protect yourself from radiation.


      How do I clean my pancake welding hood?

      If it’s made of metal, simply wipe the surface down with a damp cloth, but never use water to clean out any vents or crevices inside your helmet!

      It is important not to use any abrasive scrubbing pads or cleaners as this could cause surface damage which compromises the integrity of your hood.


      Can I wear my pancake welding hood with glasses?

      Generally speaking, it’s best to use a welding helmet with built-in glasses for safety reasons. This is because wearing separate goggles or glasses underneath your hood can interfere with the seal and make the mask less secure in general – especially if they are not designed specifically for this purpose!


      Can I use my pancake welding hood when cutting metal?

      If you are cutting metal, it’s important to have your hood on. Even if the torch isn’t directly pointed at you, both sparks and hot fragments of molten metal can fly off unexpectedly, especially when working with certain metals like aluminum, which tends to crack or crumble under stress! You don’t want any of these flying towards your face as they could cause serious damage.


      Can I use a pancake welding hood if I have facial hair?

      Generally speaking, you should be able to – but it’s not recommended for safety reasons. If the seal is broken, then this can allow hot gas or debris into the area between your face and the mask.

      This can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, so for this reason, you should always make sure that you have a tight seal around your face before using any welding helmet even if it’s just facial hair!


      What is a lens shade number?

      The lens shade number tells you how dark or light something will appear through the lens of your helmet. This is measured using a system known as the American Welding Society (AWS) scale, and it ranges from numbers one to fourteen, with lower numbers representing darker shades and higher ones lighter shades.
       
      So #14 represents very bright light while #0 represents near-total darkness. Most pancake welding helmets have a shade number of #13 or #12 which means they are perfect for anything from regular to low-level welding work.


      How do I choose the best pancake helmet?

      When choosing a pancake helmet, it’s important to consider all of your options and carefully read through any product descriptions.

      This is because there are so many different models available which use different materials, have a variety of lens shades, and many other things that could make them suitable for your needs.


      How do I improve my welding visibility?

      You can improve your welding visibility by ensuring that you are wearing the correct gear for the job. This includes using a pancake helmet with an appropriate shade number and always ensuring that it is clean, well maintained, and fits closely to your face, but also be aware of potential distractions like sunlight which may make it harder to do your job properly!

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