Red Flame Welding

Gardena, Calif., plastic company scores big with novelty welding masks

It’s all because a local magic and zentaishop has scored a seasonal hit selling novelty welding masks from California that are fashioned in the shape of devils, dogs, androids and more, complete with dark visors.

“Everybody’s talking about it,” said Norbert Dennerll, who has run the Yellow Barrel of Magic with his wife, Beverly, for the past 25 years. “Clinton and Monica were popular last year but this has got that beat all to heck.”

The items, which work as welding helmets and can slide back off the wearer’s face, are made by a branch of Pro spider costume-Form Corp. of Gardena, Calif.

Since May 1998, the company has sold the masks through word-of-mouth and flyers, said Mary Sawyer, who handles their sales.

The company has sold thousands of the hand-painted masks, which retail for $ 59.95, but this is the first time someone outside the welding industry has ordered them, she said.

The current line of masks will be discontinued at the end of the year, Sawyer said, adding that she doesn’t mind if they are used for Halloween catsuit.

“At $ 59.95, you can do whatever you want with it,” Sawyer said.

Dennerll said he first noticed the masks about a couple of months ago and thought they had potential for costumes. The store has sold dozens of the masks since – big numbers for a little store – and got a new order in Tuesday.

Men who have been dragged out costume spiderman shopping enjoy looking at the masks, Dennerll said. “They just stand at the counter laughing,” he said.

The most popular model is called patriotic gorilla and features an ape face decked out with a big Blue Star and red and white stripes.

“Oooh, that’s nice,” said William Speidel of Elyria, a former welder who now delivers mattresses, as he looked at a patriotic gorilla.

Other models include bulldog, Hollywood hog (a white boar face with a nose ring), devil skull (red with yellow flames and fangs) and androids in gold and silver.

Speidel said he would wear the mask to play or work, if he were still a welder.

About the Author

Red Plastic Handle Double Head Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.70

Weldmark Variable Shade Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet – RED FLAMES RF8VS9-13 $189.99

Red Plastic Handle Double Head Gas Flame Welding Gun $16.73

Gold Dragons/Red Flames:Red’s American Made Welding Biker Hat 4 Men $6.00 each $6.00

Black Stallion 2X-Large Bsx Bs50 Vulcan Mig Stick Red Flame Weld Gloves $31.31

Black Stallion Small FR9-30C 9oz. Red Flame Resistant Cotton Welding Coat $23.64

Black Stallion X-Large Bsx Bx21Cs Black Cape Sleeves With Red Flames $27.25

Black Stallion 3X-Large FR9-30C 9oz. Red Flame Resistant Cotton Welding Coat $28.36

Black Stallion Medium FR9-30C 9oz. Red Flame Resistant Cotton Welding Coat $23.64

Miller 231408 Helmet,Prohobby Red Flame Pkg = 1 $149.91

Black Stallion 5X-Large Bsx Bx21Cs Black Cape Sleeves With Red Flames $40.87

BSX Medium BX9C Black W/Red Flames Cotton Welding Jacket - $31.93

BSX 4X-Large BX9C Black W/ Red Flames Cotton Welding Jacket $44.69

BSX X-Large BX9C Black W/ Red Flames Cotton Welding Jacket $26.99

BSX Large BX9C Black W/Red Flames Cotton Welding Jacket $31.93

BSX 2X-Large BX9C Black W/Red Flames Cotton Welding Jacket $35.11

Bsx Small Bx9C Black W Red Flames Cotton Welding Jacket $31.93

Black Stallion 3X-Large Bsx Bx21Cs Black Cape Sleeves With Red Flames $32.69

Black Stallion Medium Bsx Bs50 Vulcan Mig Stick Red Flame Weld Gloves $31.31

Black Stallion 2X-Large FR9-30C 9oz. Red Flame Resistant Cotton Welding Coat $26.00

Black Stallion Small Bsx Bx21Cs Black Cape Sleeves With Red Flames $27.25

Black Stallion Large FR9-30C 9oz. Red Flame Resistant Cotton Welding Coat $23.64

Black Stallion 3X-Large Bsx Bx9C 3 Black W/ Red Flames Cotton Welding Jacket $38.31

Black Stallion 5X-Large Bsx Bx9C Black W/ Red Flames Cotton Welding Jacket $43.90

Black Stallion Large Bsx BS50 Vulcan Mig Stick Red Flame Weld Gloves $24.99

Black Stallion Large Bsx Bx21Cs Black Cape Sleeves With Red Flames $27.25

Black Stallion 4X-Large FR9-30C 9oz. Red Flame Resistant Cotton Welding Coat $33.09

Black Stallion X-Large BSX BS50 Vulcan Mig Stick Red Flame Weld Gloves $31.31

Black Stallion Small BSX BS50 Vulcan Mig Stick Red Flame Weld Gloves $31.31

Red Flame Auto Welding Helmet +Weld Magnets & Cleaner Home Auto DIY Welders Tool $67.49

Red Plastic Handle Double Head Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.70

Double Head Red Nonslip Handle Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.15

Red Plastic Handle Double Head Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.66

Red Flame Skull Solar Auto-Darkening Filter Welder Welding Helmet Flaming Skull $79.99

Double Head Red Nonslip Handle Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.13

Red Plastic Handle Double Head Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.76

Red Flame Auto Welding Helmet +Weld Magnets & Cleaner $69.99

“RED SKULLS & FLAMES” Welding, Welders, Biker Cap, Hardhat Liner Hat $11.00

Size 7-1/4 – LAPCO Red & Orange Flames Reversible Welding CAP Welders HAT $8.07

Size 7-3/8 – LAPCO Red & Orange Flames Reversible Welding CAP Welders HAT $8.07

Red Plastic Handle Double Head Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.68

Red Plastic Handle Double Head Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.21

Double Head Red Nonslip Handle Gas Flame Welding Gun $16.76

Double Head Red Nonslip Handle Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.70

BSX Stick/MIG Welding Gloves – Black w/Red Flames LARGE-BS50 $29.95

BSX Stick/MIG Welding Gloves – Black w/Red Flames XL-BS50 $26.95

Double Head Red Nonslip Handle Gas Flame Welding Gun $18.71

Jackson BOSS 3n1 EQC HALO X auto dark darkening welding helmet RED BLK FLAMES I2 $275.00

Miller Elite “Red Flame” Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet $349.00

Miller Pro-Hobby Red Flame Welding Helmet 231408 $159.00