Whether you’re a professional welder or a hobbyist working on DIY projects, staying informed about various welding helmet accessories is crucial. While you may not need all of them, understanding the practical uses of different attachments and upgrades, and incorporating them, can enhance your SAFETY, COMFORT, and PRODUCTIVITY.
Not sure where to begin? You’re not alone, and I’m here to guide you. In this article, we’ll explore some of the essential accessories for welding helmets, their functions, and how they can benefit you. So, let’s start.
Welding Helmet Headgear Accessories
Want to take your welding helmet to the next level? Explore these crucial accessories that can boost your comfort and safety:
1. Welding Helmet Headcover
Crafted from flame-retardant, air-cushioned fabric materials, a headcover (close variant: cap) offers an extra layer of protection for the back of your head. It’s designed for use with welding helmets that lack coverage in this area. While it may not provide substantial impact protection due to its softness, it effectively guards against sparks, hot slags, and other airborne debris.
Comfort is key with welding mask head covers, which typically feel like a soft cloth draped over your head. Look for one made of BREATHABLE, soft fabric to ensure airflow and prevent sweating, especially in hot and stuffy environments where synthetic covers can become uncomfortable over time.
And guess what? Wearing such an accessory is particularly advantageous in busy workshops where the risk of FLYING DEBRIS and SPARKS from neighboring welders is higher. This is why, I have attached a Lincoln Electric headcover to my ESAB Sentinel A50 welding helmet in the workshop.
However, if the back of your head is not exposed to such risks, such as when working alone, using such a cover is not essential. In these cases, a full-face welding helmet that already provides coverage for the back of your head eliminates the need for additional protection.
2. Adjustable Headbands
It’s crucial to ensure that your helmet stays securely in place while welding. Striking the right balance is key – it shouldn’t be too loose or too tight, especially during long hours of work. Adjustable headbands are designed for this purpose, acting like a belt to keep your helmet SNUG yet COMFORTABLE. Compatible with different types of welding helmets, simply adjust the headband’s diameter to fit your head perfectly.
Several years ago, I remember a time, when my helmet kept slipping during a critical weld. After switching to an adjustable headband, I found the perfect fit and improved my precision.
If your welding helmet’s headband is damaged, you can easily replace it with one of these special bands. This could be a great solution if you have a cheap gear that lacks a customizable fit.
Also Read: How To Adjust Auto-Darkening Helmet Settings?
3. Replacement Helmet Shell
The shell is the most substantial component of any welding helmet, meant to endure TOUGH conditions. However, accidents, impacts, or exposure to corrosive elements can damage it. In such cases, you can replace the damaged shell instead of the entire hood.
And guess what? It’s important to ensure that the new shell matches the lens size and other specifications of your current helmet. Buying an incompatible shell could mean having to purchase a new lens, which can be quite costly.
Additionally, it’s worth selecting the shell material carefully. Investing in a high-quality helmet shell that offers both DURABILITY and COMFORT is a wise choice. Consider factors like impact, heat, and corrosion resistance to select a shell that best suits your work environment.
Some years back, one welder at my workshop accidentally dropped his helmet from a height, damaging the shell. Instead of buying a new one, I replaced the shell, saving both money and time.
4. Hard Hat Adapters
Often, eye protection alone isn’t enough for certain welding jobs – you also need to protect your head from STRONG IMPACTS. This is especially true when working at construction sites or other environments where safety regulations require you to wear hard hats. That’s why safety helmets with welding masks exist, but buying one for a one-time job might feel like a waste of money.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to buy a new welding helmet. You can still use your existing hood and simply equip it with a regular hard hat. Yes, you read that right! This is where hard hat adapters come into play, allowing you to bind the two pieces of gear together.
5. Sweatband
When welding in a hot environment, your face is bound to sweat inside your helmet. Perspiration from the forehead dripping down to your eyes can not only be very annoying but can also hamper visibility by fogging up the lens. A sweatband is a spongy band designed to stick to your forehead, cushion it, and absorb all the sweat.
While some helmets come equipped with sweatbands by default, you can also buy them as separate accessories to attach to your hood or replace an old and damaged band. I know it might seem more like a luxury than a functional add-on, but trust me – a good sweatband can make a world of difference when welding for hours.
Attachments To Protect Neck And Shoulder
Looking to fortify your welding gear? Consider these innovative accessories designed to shield the lower portion of your face, neck, and shoulders:
6. Helmet Bibs
A welding helmet protects your face, but your chin and neck might still be vulnerable, depending on your position. Bibs are accessories that attach under a hood, protecting your NECK area in tight spaces.
Aside from sparks and hot debris, they also help keep out UV light from exposed skin, which can have strong detrimental effects in the long run.
I recently bought a new Miller welding helmet, and to my surprise, it came with a bib, which has proven pretty useful so far.
7. Flame-Retardant Drape
The name of this accessory is pretty self-explanatory – these are special drapes designed to safeguard your neck and shoulders from flying debris and hot metal slugs. Thanks to the flame-retardant material, you don’t have to worry about your drape accidentally catching fire. What’s more, a drape covers your head, which means you no longer need a head cover or a glare guard if you’re using one of these.
I usually recommend using flame-retardant drapes for high-amperage arc welding. The radiation generated is particularly high, so it’s best to get every bit of skin covered. Additionally, these drapes also protect you from sparks and high temperatures. The material can vary from modern options like flame-retardant cotton to something more traditional, such as cowhide.
Upgrades To Improve Visibility
Want to see better while welding? These upgrades can make a world of difference:
8. Glare Guard
For a welder, few things can be more annoying than a bright glare on the inside of the lens. Whether it’s from the sun, overhead lamps, or the welding flash from others working around you, such glares can pose an inconvenience by hindering your visibility.
While this isn’t a concern for welders wearing full-face welding helmets, those using open-back hoods might need to install some sort of cover at the back. This is where a glare guard comes into play.
A glare cover is essentially a flap of fabric that you can ATTACH to the helmet to cover the back of your head and neck, blocking out bright lights from hitting the lens from the inside. Now, I know it sounds very similar to the head covers I described earlier, but they both have their own upsides and downsides.
As a glare guard covers the back of your head rather than completely fitting over your head, it is much more comfortable. Unlike a head cover, there’s still enough opening for ventilation. However, it doesn’t offer as much protection as a head cover, since some parts of your neck still remain vulnerable to sparks that might make it through the openings.
9. Cheater Lens For Magnification
Regular visibility might not be enough when working on fabrication projects that require a high degree of precision. Instead, you need to get a closer look at your work with small details, which can be difficult and dangerous to do while welding. However, the good news is that you don’t actually have to do it that way. Instead, you could equip your welding helmet with a ‘cheater’ lens.
A cheater lens is essentially a type of magnifying lens that helps you enjoy an ENLARGED view. I like to think of them as a welder’s version of reading glasses – lenses with a standard magnification power meant to help you see better while welding.
10. LED Light Kit
One of the many things I’ve learned during my long career as a welder is that you don’t always get optimal working conditions for every welding job. Unfortunately, this also extends to basic requirements such as lighting. An LED light kit can save you a lot of trouble when working in dark environments without proper overhead lighting.
So, what exactly are these light kits? Well, to put it simply, they comprise LED light systems that can be attached to a welding helmet. The compact, battery-operated lamps are quite lightweight, and you can even adjust the angling.
This is far more convenient than using a flashlight or a regular lamp because not only can they be used HANDS-FREE, but the light always stays on whatever you are looking at, offering unhindered visibility and clarity at all times.
Learn More: Clarity of Welding Lens: Classifications
Welding Lens Accessories
Looking to upgrade your setup for better performance and protection? Explore these important welding helmet accessories that can enhance your experience:
11. Fixed Shade Lens Pack
An auto-darkening helmet is the best choice for welders who need to use different welding techniques of varying amperages. However, what’s ideal isn’t always what you have available – you might have to stick to a fixed-shade lens if you’re on a tight budget or plan to use helmets provided by your employer.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to stick to using the lens shade that came with the helmet by default. The lenses can be swapped, which means you can equip a passive welding mask with whichever shade suits your requirements.
So, using a passive lens pack (usually with shade numbers 9, 10, 11, and 12) would be a great investment for professionals who need various darknesses for their projects. Just check the lens shade chart and find your suitable DIN number.
12. Inner Lens
This is the clear lens on the inner side of the glass. While it doesn’t darken the flash or filter any harmful wavelengths of light, it performs a crucial function – PROTECTING the auto-darkening filter of a welding helmet from damage. If the inner lens gets damaged or develops scratches, you can simply replace it with a new one.
13. Outer Lens
As you can probably guess already, this is very similar to the inner lens I just described – except it’s on the outer side of the glass. The outer lens, however, is even more important as it protects the filter from SPARKS and WELDING SPLATTER. It is also more likely to need replacing due to frequent exposure to damaging elements and direct impact.
14. ADF Replacement Kit
As someone who uses welding helmets regularly, I know that the auto-dimming filter in a lens is potentially safe but will slowly wear out over time, losing its effectiveness in filtering harmful radiation. But don’t worry – you won’t need to replace the entire lens, including the outer and inner ones.
Instead, all you have to do is buy an ADF cartridge kit and replace the non-functional filter with it. I’d even recommend keeping one in stock at all times so that you don’t have to weld with a faulty filter until you can buy a replacement.
15. Grinding Shield
When it comes to grinding, you’ll need to use a much lighter lens shade compared to welding. If your helmet has a fixed shade lens or an auto-darkening one without a GRIND mode, you might find that your visibility is limited during grinding due to excessive darkening.
For helmets with large darkened visors, especially half-mask hoods, you have the option to replace the entire visor with a grinding shield. These shields are designed similarly to welding visors but are specifically intended for grinding, providing improved visibility for this task.
Other Optional Attachments & Accessories
Interested in expanding your welding helmet setup? Check out these additional upgrades that can bring more convenience and functionality to your gear:
16. Welding Helmet Bag
This accessory is a must-have, especially if you frequently move or travel with your hood. Much like bags designed for cameras and other equipment, a helmet bag is specifically crafted to STORE or CARRY your gear.
Why do you need it? Well, without proper protection during handling or transportation, a welding helmet’s lens is at risk of severe damage. In addition to the chance of cracking or shattering, scratches on the glass can impair visibility and make work difficult.
Welding hood bags are available in various designs, including STUFF SACKS and BACKPACKS. You’re free to choose one that suits your preferences, as long as it provides adequate protection for your gear. For instance, our welder Liam uses his own Lincoln self-darkening helmet in our workshop every day, carrying it inside his Yeswelder backpack along with his jacket, gloves, tools, and other essentials.
Trust me – investing in a welding helmet bag is completely worthwhile. The only scenario where you might not need one is if you primarily keep your mask at home and have already found an alternative, suitable storage solution for it.
17. Batteries
Needless to say, if your gear contains any electronic components, it will require BATTERIES. This includes all auto-darkening lenses, as the entire process—from the sensors detecting the arc flash to the activation of the self-darkening filter—is electronic. Even solar-powered helmets need a battery to initiate the process.
In addition to the helmet itself, you may also need batteries for certain accessories, such as the LED light kits I mentioned earlier. As far as I have seen, the type of cell required may vary, but auto-dimming filters typically use coin batteries- mostly CR2032 and CR2450.
18. Respirator Kit
I highly recommend getting a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) kit for almost anyone, unless you are a hobbyist. However, professionals who weld for extended periods must wear these while welding. Why, you ask?
Well, the welding process produces a large amount of smoke, harmful gases, and other airborne particles that can severely impact your respiratory health. A respiratory kit attached to your welding helmet filters out such particles, allowing you to breathe cleaner air.
And guess what? Unlike regular respirators, which rely on the vacuum created while inhaling to draw in air, PAPRs are powered and provide you with a constant supply of CLEAN AIR. They are also much more effective at filtering air than regular respirators, offering a significantly more comfortable experience overall.
19. Helmet Belt Hook
A belt hook is a handy accessory that can make your work much easier. It allows you to hang your welding hood from your belt, freeing up your hands and making it convenient to carry around. Plus, it enables you to quickly put on the helmet when you need it.
20. Helmet Decals and Stickers
Welding helmet decals and stickers are a fun and practical way to personalize your gear, featuring your name, a cool design, or important safety info.
Those stickers are made from durable PVC material with a laminate layer, making them WATER-RESISTANT. You can stick them anywhere without worrying about them getting damaged or wrinkled. These stickers are not only fun and special but also practical, adding a touch of personality to your favorite hood.
Deciding which attachments to get and which to pass on is entirely up to you. However, it’s advisable to explore the best accessories for welding helmets to get the maximum value for your money. Research your options and read detailed reviews to make an informed purchase.
Key Takeaways
Head covers offer extra protection for the back of your head against sparks and debris.
A welding helmet bag is essential for safely storing and transporting your PPEs.
Adjustable headbands ensure your helmet stays securely in place and comfortable.
Replacement helmet shells can be used to replace damaged shells without buying a new hood.
Hard hat adapters allow you to use your welding mask with a regular hard hat for added head protection.
Glare guards help block bright lights from hitting the lens, improving visibility.
Helmet bibs protect your neck area from sparks and UV light.
Flame-retardant drapes protect your neck, shoulders, and head from debris and hot metal slugs.
Sweatbands absorb sweat to prevent it from dripping down and obstructing visibility.
Cheater lenses are magnifying lenses that help you see details more clearly.
Fixed shade lens packs offer various lens shades for different welding techniques.
Inner and outer lenses protect the auto-darkening filter and the wearer’s eyes from damage.
LED light kits provide additional lighting for dark work environments.
Batteries are required for electronic components in welding helmets and accessories.
ADF replacement kits allow you to replace the automatic darkening filter in your lens.
Respirator kits filter out harmful particles while welding to protect your respiratory health.
Grinding shields provide improved visibility for grinding tasks.
Helmet belt hooks allow you to hang your welding hood from your belt for convenience.
Helmet decals and stickers personalize your gear and add a touch of personality.
Essential components, such as the ADF cartridge, inner and outer lenses, and helmet shell, are NECESSARY for replacing damaged components, regardless of your welding duties.
For SPECIALIZED welding jobs, additional attachments and accessories like hard hat adapters and cheater lenses may be required.
Optional accessories, such as belt hooks, head covers, and helmet bags, can make your task easier and safer.
