Revolutionize Your Welding Experience with a Pancake Welding Helmet
Last Updated: November 27, 2023 by Louis Sham
Introduction
Welding hoods are an essential piece of equipment for welders, providing protection for their face, eyes, and neck from sparks, heat, and harmful UV radiation. Without a welding hood, welders would be at risk of serious injury or even blindness. Two popular brand of welding hoods are the Original Pancake Brand Welding Hood and Wendy’s pancake hoods. These hoods commonly referred to as pancake welding hoods are known for their high-quality, light-weight construction, durability, and superior visibility.
In this article, we will explore the history of pancake hoods how the hoods work, the benefits of using them, maintenance and care tips, effective usage tips, common mistakes to avoid, and a comparison to other types of welding hoods.
Introducing the Pancake Hood
The pancake hood combines several innovative features that help combat certain issues:
- Clear Vision: The pancake hood, such as the Wendy’s model, fits snugly against your head like a pair of ski goggles. This design blocks out extraneous light and prevents fog condensation, ensuring a clear view of your work at all times.
- Comfortable Fit: The pancake hood rests on your forehead and nose bridge, with your nose exposed to the outside. This eliminates the discomfort of hot air and further prevents fogging up.
Improved Welding Experience
Switching to the pancake hood will significantly improve the welding experience. The clear vision it provides allows one to see their work with precision and accuracy. Gone are the days of fogging up or distracting reflections, enabling you to focus solely on your welding tasks.
About the Original Pancake Brand Welding Hood Company
The Original Pancake Brand Welding Hood Company has a long history in the welding industry. Founded in 1952, the company has been producing high-quality welding hoods for over 60 years. Their commitment to excellence and innovation has made them a trusted name among welders worldwide.
Its most popular model models are Z-87.1 ANSI approved and OSHA accepted.
The company offers a wide range of welding hoods to suit different needs and preferences. From their classic pancake-style hoods to their newer models with advanced features, they have a hood for every welder. All of their products are built in the USA. Their hoods are known for their durability, comfort, and superior visibility, making them a popular choice among professionals and hobbyists alike.
About Wendy’s Pancake Welding Shields
Wendy’s pancake hoods are produced by Wendy’s Pancake Welding Shields, LLC and are sold by a number of reputable distributors, including BM Parts, CMR Fabrications, Amazon.com, and Mechanics surplus. They have numerous models available for purchase.
The Wendy’s Pancake Shield is designed for stick welding and pipe welding. It excels in these areas and is a great hood for such task.
If you plan on doing TIG welding, it’s important to note that the Wendy’s Pancake Shield may not provide adequate protection. When performing TIG welding in a flat position, your neck and face are exposed to UV radiation. This lack of UV protection is one of the downsides of the Wendy’s Pancake Shield.
What is the Key Difference Between a Pancake Welding Hood and a Traditional Welding Hood?
A pancake hood boasts a meticulously carved box that is custom-made to perfectly fit your face. This ingenious design eliminates any pesky backlighting issues. So, whether the sun is positioned behind you or there’s a light source casting its glow from behind, the pancake hood works its magic by eradicating all reflections and disruptions.
How Pancake Welding Hoods Work
Pancake Brand Welding Hoods are designed with the welder’s safety and comfort in mind. They feature a lightweight and compact design that allows for easy movement and reduces strain on the neck and shoulders. The hoods are made from high-quality materials that can withstand the heat and sparks generated during welding.
One of the key features of Pancake Brand Welding Hoods is their large viewing area. The hoods are equipped with a wide lens that provides excellent visibility, allowing welders to see their work clearly. This is crucial for achieving accurate and precise welds. The lens is also made from a special material that filters out harmful UV radiation, protecting the welder’s eyes from damage.
Pancake Brand Welding Hoods also have an adjustable headband and a ratchet-style adjustment system, allowing for a secure and comfortable fit. This ensures that the hood stays in place during welding and does not obstruct the welder’s vision. The hoods also have a flip-up feature, which allows the welder to easily switch between welding and inspecting their work without having to remove the hood.
Benefits of Using the Pancake Welding Hoods
Using Pancake Welding Hoods offers several benefits for welders. Firstly, the large viewing area provides improved visibility, allowing welders to see their work more clearly. This is especially important when working on intricate or detailed projects that require precision. The clear lens also reduces eye strain, making it easier for welders to focus on their work for extended periods of time.
Secondly, Pancake Welding Hoods offer enhanced safety and protection for the welder. The hood’s design and materials provide excellent protection against sparks, heat, and UV radiation. This reduces the risk of burns, eye injuries, and long-term damage to the eyes. The adjustable headband and ratchet-style adjustment system ensure a secure fit, preventing the hood from slipping or falling off during welding.
Pancake welding hoods are also affordable averaging approximately $90 to $140.
Lastly, Pancake Brand Welding Hoods are designed with comfort in mind. The lightweight and compact design reduces strain on the neck and shoulders, allowing welders to work for longer periods without discomfort. The flip-up feature also allows for easy inspection of the welds without having to remove the hood completely, saving time and effort.
Maintenance and Care of Pancake Welding Hoods
To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of Pancake Welding Hoods, it is important to properly clean and maintain them. Here are some tips for cleaning and caring for your hood:
1. Regularly clean the lens: The lens of the hood can become dirty or covered in welding spatter over time. Use a soft cloth or lens cleaning solution to gently wipe away any debris or residue. Avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals that can scratch or damage the lens.
2. Inspect the headband and adjustment system: Check the headband and ratchet-style adjustment system regularly for any signs of wear or damage. Replace any worn or broken parts to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
3. Store the hood properly: When not in use, store the hood in a clean and dry place to protect it from dust, moisture, and other contaminants. Avoid placing heavy objects on top of the hood, as this can cause damage to the lens or other parts.
4. Replace worn-out parts: Over time, certain parts of the hood may become worn out or damaged. It is important to replace these parts promptly to maintain the hood’s performance and safety features. Contact the manufacturer or a certified dealer for replacement parts.
Tips for Using Pancake Welding Hoods Effectively
To get the most out of your Pancake Welding Hood, here are some tips for effective usage:
1. Proper fitting and adjustment: Ensure that the hood is properly fitted and adjusted to your head size and shape. The headband should be snug but not too tight, and the ratchet-style adjustment system should be securely locked in place. This will prevent the hood from slipping or falling off during welding.
2. Positioning the hood: Position the hood in a way that provides optimal visibility and protection. The lens should be positioned directly in front of your eyes, with a clear line of sight to your work. Adjust the angle of the hood as needed to achieve the best view.
3. Use proper eye protection: While Pancake Welding Hoods provide excellent protection for the face and eyes, it is still important to wear proper eye protection underneath the hood. This can include safety glasses or goggles that are designed to protect against UV radiation and flying debris.
4. Take breaks when needed: Welding can be physically demanding, and it is important to take regular breaks to rest and hydrate. Remove the hood during breaks to allow your face and eyes to cool down and relax.
Comparing Pancake Welding Hoods to Other Types of Welding Hoods
While Pancake Welding Hoods are highly regarded in the welding industry, there are other popular brands and types of welding hoods available. Here is a comparison of Pancake Welding Hoods to other types of welding hoods:
1. Auto-darkening welding hoods: Auto-darkening welding hoods are equipped with a special lens that automatically adjusts its shade level based on the intensity of the arc. This eliminates the need for the welder to manually flip the lens up and down. While auto-darkening hoods offer convenience, they can be more expensive and may require battery replacement.
2. Passive welding hoods: Passive welding hoods have a fixed shade level and do not automatically adjust. The welder must manually flip the lens up and down to switch between welding and inspecting their work. Passive hoods are generally more affordable but require more manual adjustment.
3. Flip-up welding hoods: Flip-up welding hoods, like Pancake Welding Hoods, have a flip-up feature that allows the welder to easily switch between welding and inspecting their work without having to remove the hood completely. However, Pancake Welding Hoods are known for their superior visibility and comfort compared to other flip-up hoods.
Conclusion: Why Pancake Welding Hoods are Essential for Perfect Welds Every Time
In conclusion, Pancake Welding Hoods are an essential piece of equipment for welders, providing optimal protection, visibility, and comfort. The Original Pancake Brand Welding Hood Company and Wendy’s Pancake Welding Shields have a long history of producing high-quality hoods that are trusted by professionals and hobbyists alike. By investing in a Pancake Welding Hood, welders can achieve accurate and precise welds while ensuring their safety and well-being. Proper maintenance and care, along with effective usage tips, will ensure the longevity and optimal performance of the hood. So, whether you are a professional welder or a hobbyist, consider investing in a Pancake Welding Hood for perfect welds every time.
