A pancake welding hood is protective wear meant for the head and eyes of a welder while at work.
It is a type of helmet designed to look like a pancake when we consider its round outer shape.
It can be regarded as a mask or hood too. A typical example is Wendy’s welding hood.
One apparent reason why it is named after a pancake is the shape of the front part of the helmet. It is round and looks like the shape of a pancake.
It is typically flat without much thickness. Every other part of the helmet is joined or curved with its flat surface. Hence the name pancake welding hood.
The round flat surface of the helmet covers the face thoroughly. It is not thick or heavy and can be worn comfortably, but can resist any light, reflection, and mold.
Different brands produce this type of helmet, with different specifications and sizes.
Every helmet made in this form has a stand-out feature that makes them needful for the welding process, but can only be tested when you try one on your face.
The balsa box. This box is formed to serve as see-through goggles. It distinguishes one pancake helmet from another.
A balsa box is a small wooden box that holds the lenses of the helmet.
It is designed to fit the edges of the eyes correctly; its wooden surface could be reshaped to fit the eye size.
You are advised to buy a suitable and sizeable welding hood that matches the eyes for the sake of comfort.
A List of the 3 best pancake welding hoods
Wendy’s Pancake Welding Hood
Wendy’s welding hoods is one of the best pancake welding hoods you can choose, from a pool of varieties of diffident kinds of helmets.
When selecting a suitable standard helmet for work purposes and you have to go for a pancake type, make sure you check the store for a Wendy branded helmet.
Every part of the right-handed welding hood is designed for one or more safety purposes.
It is beginning with a flat outer surface made of plastic to cover the whole face and the side shield.
The inner part that accommodates the lens is made of light balsa wood.
The purpose of the balsa wood is to hold the face when viewed through lenses.
The edges of the wooden surface can be custom fitted to suit the size of your face, with the help of sandpaper attached to the product packaging.
All Wendy’s hood has an adjustable headband made of elastic.
This welding hood is white to distinguish better what you’re going for.
Tip: You can use a #10 lens while welding outdoors. It will protect you from sun glare.
Sarge’s Pancake Black Welding Hood
Sarge’s pancake welding hood is another type of welding helmet to work with for maximum protection against reflections, molds, and spatters coming in contact with the face.
As usual, it covers the whole face and can be firm whenever it is used. Provided you purchase the right size.
Unlike the first product, the Sarge welding hood is left-handed and still has its usefulness.
Not every welder is right-handed. Its balsa box can accommodate almost all types of 2×4 dimming lenses.
Black in color, but there’s no reason to be fashionable at work.
Overall, the welding hood is light and will not look uncomfortable on you.
Its balsa box is made from balsa wood, while the side and face shield is made of Formica.
All of these are included in the production process to guarantee maximum protection for the face and specifically the eyes.
Included in the product pack is a 100cm sandpaper to help you adjust the fitting of the eyepiece, and an adjustable strap or headband to hold the hood firm whenever you put it on.
Tip: You can add an auto-darkening lens in this hood.
Original Pancake Welding Hood
To start with, this welding hood is right-sided, but protection covers the other side of the face.
Every part of the Original Welding hood should be handled with care, for the sake of longevity.
It can be likened to any of the aforementioned welding hoods, as they all can function under any form of pipeline welding.
All the flipsides are extra thick and are handcrafted from wooden pine and balsa woods.
These wood types are light and do not have any issues.
Every Original welding hood is made under standard guidelines and operatives. They are ANSI approved, and OSHA certified.
The balsa box in original welding hoods is custom fitted for every eye size, and face shape.
There’s not much to worry about as they can accommodate all standard miller lenses and EQC(Electronic Quick Change).
This type of glass is not included in the product pack, but there’s a durable, fitted lens attached.
An adjustable headband and sandpaper are also included in the pack.
Tip: This hood is perfect for a clear cover lens and auto-darkening lens with size of 2 x 4 1/4
Final Thoughts
On a final note, getting a welding hood is not the issue, acquiring a standard one for pipeline welding purposes and another use is the most challenging part of visiting the store.
There are various brands, both standard and substandard.
If you go through this article and understand it well, you’ll never encounter challenges facing first-time buyers.
Wendy’s welding hood and other products mentioned in this write-up have been tested and proved okay for your work purpose.
Do yourself right by going for it.
