There are various types of welding hoods to ensure the safety of welders, but a pancake welding hood is pipeline welders’ favorite.
It does have a weird name, but it works perfectly well and is quite beneficial in some cases compared to other welding hoods.
If you have heard this name before or seen a pancake welding hood, you might have wondered why this welding hood even exists and what’s the need for that.
I will answer all your questions in the detailed article or you can say the ultimate guide on pancake welding hoods.
In this article, I will delve deeper into pancake welding hoods. I will discuss why these are used and when you should opt for one. I will also share some factors to consider while buying it, along with some excellent recommendations.
What is a Pancake Welding Hood?
The reason for this weird name is the shape. It is flat and round from the front, which is why it is commonly known as a Pancake Welding Hood.
It has a bent surface on one side, usually on the left. It is specifically for right-handed welders. For left-handed welders, the bent surface is on the right. It protects the welder’s face and prevents light from entering the helmet. Users can pick any of the designs they need.
At the back of the hood, you’ll see a box in which the welding lens is fitted. This box is made of balsa wood, and the welders have to sand it according to their facial features. It ensures perfect fitting from all sides and keeps the welder comfortable.
There is also a strap or elastic headband attached to the wooden box. It secures the pancake welding hood on the head.
You can use any standard lens in the hood. It could be a passive lens or an auto-darkening lens, which you can choose, depending on your preference.
Note: A pancake welding hood does not come with a welding lens. You have to buy it separately.
Why Pancake Welding Hood?
You might have wondered why there is a need to use a pancake welding hood when there are other options available, such as a Fibre Metal welding hood and chopped sugar scoop welding hood.
But it offers some benefits that other welding hoods can’t. Let’s discuss them.
First, it fits perfectly well. Its balsa wood box can be easily sanded to adjust according to the face of the welder. It covers the contours to offer maximum protection to the eyes. It is like a customized welding hood for the user.
As the welding hood perfectly fits on the face, it does not allow the backlight to pose any shade on the lens. Therefore, welders can work even in the daylight or at workshops with bright lights. Pipeline welders work outdoors during the day, which is the reason they prefer to use pancake welding hoods.
Last but not least is the lightweight of the welding hood. Due to its minimalist design and wooden box, it is much lighter than other welding hoods. Therefore, welders can work all day long without any hassle.
But keep in mind that welding pancakes are designed for right-handed and left-handed users. So, you can’t switch your hands for welding.
What to Consider While Buying a Pancake Welding Hood?
Here are a few things you should consider while buying a pancake welding hood.
Material: Check the material from which the hood is made. It can be a thin metal, carbon fiber, or phenolic. All of them work well, so you have to choose depending on your preference. Metal hoods last for a lifetime. On the other hand, phenolic hoods sometimes get cracked or chipped during transportation, but they are extremely lightweight.
Wooden box: The wooden box should be made of balsa wood to ensure the lightweight of the hood and last for a long time. Secondly, it is easier to sand and adjust according to facial features.
Side Shield: Select the side shield according to the hand you use for welding.
Strap: There should be an adjustable strap or headband with the helmet to adjust and secure it well. If it is not included, you’ll have to buy it separately.
Safety Standard: The pancake welding hood should be OSHA-approved. Compliance with ANSI standards is a plus.
Best Pancake Hood for Welding
I’ve picked some of the best pancake welding hoods. I have used some of these and also taken reviews from other users.
Wendy’s Pancake Welding Hood (Right-Handed, Black)
Wendy’s is a trusted brand for pancake welding hoods. Its quality is excellent.
Its black color is often preferred by welders. It is made of phenolic, which is a plastic material. The wooden box is made of balsa wood. Therefore, it is super lightweight and an ideal option for everyday use.
You can use almost any standard welding lens here. Check out the Best Auto-Darkening Lens.
The best part is that it comes with a headband and sandpaper. You can easily sand the wood to make it extremely comfortable.
Sarge’s Pancake Welding Hood (Right-Handed, Black)
Sarge’s is another popular brand for pancake welding hoods. Most importantly, it is OSHA-approved, so you can go with it without any worries.
You would love to use this pancake welding hood for your daily jobs. It is lightweight and durable.
However, the quality of the strap is not as it should be. It won’t stay on for long, so I would recommend getting a good-quality strap from another manufacturer. Other than that, it’s a lovely piece.
Wendy’s Pancake Welding Hood (Right-Handed, White)
Here we have another Wendy’s pancake hood but in white.
It is also made of plastic and balsa wood. Welders can use it all day without any discomfort.
Its headband is perfect to offer a comfortable fit.
The hood blocks the light from the back, so you can work without any hassle.
Sarge’s Pancake Welding Hood (Left-Handed, Black)
If you are left-handed, you need this pancake welding hood from Sarge’s. It is OSHA-approved to be worry-free.
It has a plastic body and balsa wood box. You can sand it down in a few minutes.
For pipeline welders, it is a blessing.
And even if you are right-handed, you can have this one so that you can use it when you need to use your left hand on any object.
It’s worth every penny.
