another what is this is

[johnco]

a friend found this strange tool somewhere and no one knows what it is.. looks to me like it's some sort of electrical or welding tool with the brass connectors similar to battery clamps.. spring loaded metal handles and pretty heavy duty construction.. about 10-12 inches long.. anyone have any idea what this is called and what it's used for?

[Brando]

Bipod?

[wdfifteen]

Carbon arc welding handles.

[porsche4life]

Hell, that creates more questions than answers!

[slodave]

Not really. It's an older form of welding.

[johnco]

I figured it had something to do with welding. had never seen carbon arc welding before but I used to do a bit or arc gouging at our fab shop. the carbon rods I used were about the same size of a pencil.. quite hot and quite a bright light when you get em burning. they will blow thru steel like it's butter. I happen to have a few carbon rods from old time carbon arc lights. they are about 3/4" dia.. that's got to be fun getting those fired up your first time.