Sellstrom Welding helmets, filters and lenses

Start from the shade, then pick the helmet that carries it

A welding helmet is a shell that holds a filter. In a passive helmet the filter is a plate with one shade printed on it, and you lift the front to see the work before you strike. An auto-darkening helmet stays light until the arc strikes, then darkens to the shade you set; the variable ones let you pick inside a range.

The shade comes from the job. OSHA asks for at least Shade 8 for stick welding at 60 to 160 A and Shade 10 for MIG from 60 A up, and its note says to start darker and go lighter until you can see the puddle. The welding shade guide has the whole table.

Filter plates come in two sizes, 2 x 4-1/4 in and 4-1/2 x 5-1/4 in. Clear cover plates sit in front of and behind the filter and take the spatter, so they are the part you buy most often. Measure the opening of your helmet before you order either.

Minimum shade by process (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133)
Process and current	Minimum shade
Stick, under 60 A	7
Stick, 60 to 160 A	8
Stick, 160 to 250 A	10
MIG and flux core, 60 to 500 A	10
TIG, up to 150 A	8
Plasma cutting, light to heavy	8 to 10

These 20 products are part of the Sellstrom catalog, from $3.99 to $209.00 in our last catalog update.

How do you choose between a passive and an auto-darkening Sellstrom helmet?

A passive helmet holds a filter plate of one shade, and you lift the front to see before you strike. An auto-darkening helmet stays light until the arc strikes, then darkens to the shade you set. Both need the right shade for your process.

Which Sellstrom filter plate size fits your helmet?

Measure the window opening. Our filter and cover plates come in the two common sizes, 2 x 4-1/4 in and 4-1/2 x 5-1/4 in, and the size is in each product name or option.

How often should you replace Sellstrom cover plates?

When spatter pits them enough to cloud your view. Cover plates protect the filter plate behind them and cost far less, so they are the part welders keep a stack of.

This is general information about choosing protective equipment, not a hazard assessment of your workplace and not medical advice. Your employer's assessment, the markings on the product and its instructions come first; after any injury to the eye, get medical help right away.

What the safety sources say

OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.133: Eye and face protection. Employers must ensure appropriate eye or face protection against flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, chemical gases or vapors and injurious light radiation, with side protection against flying objects, and filter lenses must carry a shade number suited to the work. Devices must meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, Z87.1-2003 or Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), and the table sets minimum shades such as 10 for gas metal arc welding at 60 to 160 A and 14 for carbon arc welding. Read October 2, 2026.
OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.252: Welding, cutting and brazing, general requirements. Helmets or hand shields must be used during all arc welding or arc cutting except submerged arc welding, and goggles or other suitable eye protection during gas welding or oxygen cutting. Helmets and hand shields must insulate against heat and electricity and protect the face, neck and ears from direct radiant energy from the arc. Read October 2, 2026.

Each of these sources is linked in our welding shade guide.

Before the next shift

Pick the hazard, then the part

Every shield, window, lens, goggle and station in the Sellstrom catalog is one click from here, and you pick the exact part number on the next page.

Start with what can reach your eyes, your face or your ears, then pick the part for the gear you already own.

Sellstrom welding helmets, filters and lenses

Start from the shade, then pick the helmet that carries it

More to look at

About Sellstrom welding helmets, filters and lenses

How do you choose between a passive and an auto-darkening Sellstrom helmet?

Which Sellstrom filter plate size fits your helmet?

How often should you replace Sellstrom cover plates?

Pick the hazard, then the part