How to Make Welding Hoods

A welding hood is used during arc welding to protect the welder's eyes. Protection from the light of the welding arc is achieved by using either multiple layers of transparent safety-glass material or ultra-thick safety-glass material. The safety-glass type of material is of a special grade that protects the welder from flash, sparks and sputtering weld. The face shield is transparent or translucent and supports and surrounds the direct viewing area in a manner that protects both direct and peripheral vision.

For welding, it is safest to purchase a professionally constructed welding hood; however, in a pinch, you can make one yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Knife
• Measuring tape
• Glue
• #10 shaded lens
• Elastic band

Instructions

1. Cut sturdy cardboard into a 16-inch by 16-inch square for your face plate. Cut an additional piece, 12 inches by 6 inches, for the top of your hood.

2. Fold the 16-inch piece of cardboard into three panels. Make each fold four inches in from opposite edges of the square. The center panel should be eight inches wide.

3. Measure the width of your face, from temple to temple.

4. Measure three inches down from the top of the center panel and draw a rectangle, using your temple-to-temple measurement for the width and 4 inches for the height. Cut and remove this rectangular section from the panel.

5. Stand your folded 16-inch face mask upright and bend the side panels to an obtuse angle that will comfortably fit your head.

6. Fold down each end of the 12-inch by 6-inch piece of cardboard, four inches in from the edge, and place it on top of your face plate. Center it over the front eight-inch panel and glue the top first. Then fold down the four-inch end sections and glue them to the four-inch side panels.

7. Get a lens with a shade number of at least 10 from a welding shop or hardware store. A shade number of 10 is the minimum; if you get a stronger degree of protection, that is fine.

8. Cut a cardboard frame to fit the lens. Glue the lens over the rectangular opening in your face mask, and cover the edges with the cardboard frame; glue it in place.

9. Position the mask on your head so that it's comfortable and you can see, and mark a spot by each ear.

10. Cut a small hole at each spot you've marked, and use the holes to attach an elastic band. The elastic will hold the welding hood in place on your head, much the same as an old-fashioned Halloween mask.

References

• Welding Hood Patent and Design Information

Resources

• Welding Hood Design Information