Product Specification
GRINDER HOOD SHADE 8 LENS KIT
Take your Benchmark Grinder Hood beyond everyday grinding and cutting with the Shade 8 Lens Kit. This kit gives you the inner lens, shaded outer visor, and visor clip needed to build a Shade 8 configuration using the same Grinder Hood you already know and wear. It’s the easy way to add more shade capability without moving all the way up to the Shade 13 setup.
Pop out the center square directly above the inner lens, slide the visor clip into the exposed housing, install the #5 outer visor, and swap in the #3 inner lens using the easy-to-reach side clips marked L and R. Together, the #3 inner lens and #5 outer visor create the Grinder Hood’s Shade 8 configuration, giving you more flexibility for lighter welding and plasma applications while keeping the same modular hood platform.
Product Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Product Type |
Grinder Hood Shade 8 Lens Kit |
| Compatible Hood |
Benchmark Abrasives Grinder Hood |
| Inner Lens |
#3 |
| Outer Visor |
#5 |
| Combined Shade |
Shade 8 |
| Visor Clip |
Included |
| System Type |
Dual-Lens Configuration |
What's Included
- #3 Inner Lens
- #5 Outer Visor Lens
- Grinder Hood Visor Clip
Everything in the kit works together to build the Grinder Hood’s Shade 8 configuration.
Features
-
Shade 8 Configuration: Combines a #3 inner lens + #5 outer visor for Shade 8 protection.
-
Upgrade the Hood You Already Own: Add welding-shade capability without replacing the complete Grinder Hood.
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Complete Dual-Lens Setup: Includes the inner lens, outer visor, and visor clip needed for the configuration.
-
Fast Visor Clip Installation: Pop out the center square above the lens to expose the clip-system housing.
-
Easy Inner-Lens Changes: Side retaining clips marked L and R make swapping lenses quick and straightforward.
-
Modular Grinder Hood System: Move between clear grinding setups and shaded welding configurations by changing lenses.
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Quick Outer-Visor Changes: Once the visor clip is installed, the outer visor can be changed without removing the clip.
-
One Hood, Multiple Jobs: Get more versatility from the PPE you already own.
Shade 8 Configuration
This kit is built around one specific Grinder Hood setup:
#3 Inner Lens + #5 Outer Visor = Shade 8 Protection
The #3 inner lens installs in the standard inner-lens position, while the #5 outer visor mounts to the included visor clip in front of it.
This gives you a medium-shade configuration for applications where more protection is needed than the clear Grinder Hood setup, but the full Shade 13 configuration is not required.
How the Lens System Works
The Grinder Hood was designed so you can change the lens configuration quickly without changing your entire hood.
Installing the Visor Clip & #5 Outer Visor
Simply pop out the center square on the hood directly above the inner lens to uncover the visor-clip housing.
- Pop out the center square above the lens.
- Slide the included visor clip into the exposed housing.
- Install the #5 outer visor.
- Confirm the visor is fully seated before use.
Once the visor clip is installed, the outer visor can be changed without removing the clip from the hood.
Installing the #3 Inner Lens
The inner lens is held in place by the easy-to-reach side clips, conveniently marked L and R.
- Release the L and R side clips.
- Remove the existing inner lens.
- Install the #3 inner lens.
- Lock both clips back into place.
Once the #3 inner lens and #5 outer visor are installed together, the hood is configured for Shade 8 protection.
One Hood, Multiple Configurations
The real advantage of the Benchmark Grinder Hood is that you are not locked into one lens setup.
Run the #1 Clear inner lens for grinding, cutting, deburring, sanding, and general fabrication. Move to the Shade 8 Kit when you need a medium-shade setup. And when the job calls for even more protection, step up to the Shade 13 configuration with a #5 inner lens + #8 outer visor.
That means one Grinder Hood can cover a much wider range of work simply by changing the lens system.
Applications & Performance
The Shade 8 Kit expands the Grinder Hood into lighter welding and plasma applications where a Shade 8 configuration is appropriate.
Common applications include:
- Light welding applications
- Plasma arc welding at lower amperage
- Plasma arc cutting at lower amperage
- Grinding and cutting when switched back to the appropriate clear configuration
- General fabrication where shade requirements change throughout the job
Use this kit only where its verified assembled shade rating meets the requirement for the exact process and amperage. Follow the welding or plasma equipment instructions and the lens-system limits.
Use the shade appropriate for the welding process and operating amperage.
Safety Tips
- Inspect both lenses and the visor clip before each use.
- Replace cracked, heavily scratched, damaged, or otherwise compromised lenses.
- Make sure the #3 inner lens is fully seated and both L and R retaining clips are secured.
- Confirm the #5 outer visor is properly installed in the visor clip before beginning work.
- The #3 inner lens + #5 outer visor provides Shade 8 protection.
- Select the shade appropriate for the welding process and operating amperage.
- Step up to the Shade 13 configuration when the application requires a darker shade.
- Keep all required machine guards installed and correctly positioned.
- Do not use the Grinder Hood or lens system for sandblasting.
