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.
