Helmet that shields the eyes and face from arc radiation, spatter and heat. Filters are rated by shade number: around 10 for light stick and TIG work, 11 to 12 for most MIG and mid-range stick, up to 14 for heavy currents and air carbon arc, and only 3 to 6 for oxyfuel cutting. Auto-darkening hoods switch to dark in a fraction of a millisecond when the arc strikes, while fixed-shade hoods are flipped down with a nod of the head.
Drop your hood before you strike, or you'll be up all night feeling like there's sand in your eyes.
Also heard as
- helmet
- lid
- auto-darkening hood
Related terms
Arc strike
A spot where the arc touched base metal outside the weld, leaving a small melted or hardened scar.
SMAW
Shielded metal arc welding: arc welding with a flux-coated consumable electrode, known in the shop as stick.
GTAW
Gas tungsten arc welding: an arc from a non-consumable tungsten electrode under inert gas, known as TIG.