Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: amecks on March 13, 2021, 03:33:13 PM

Title: What is this electrical device?
Post by: amecks on March 13, 2021, 03:33:13 PM

Looks like a soldering iron, sorta.  No markings that I can see.  The alligator clip is stamped with a + mark.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fR9D86Pq/IMG-9531.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wx1qtyVd/IMG-9532.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/7PjxSHsJ/IMG-9533.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hPxKrk6y/IMG-9534.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/906N0NBz/IMG-9535.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: bonneyman on March 13, 2021, 04:55:40 PM

The compressed carbon tip makes me think a low voltage arc welder (or spot welder) for tight spots. Maybe for in the field, emergency repairs? Clip onto the car battery and weld away?

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: amecks on March 13, 2021, 08:04:56 PM

Yes, it looks like something from a vintage JC Whitney catalog.  You hook it up, do a roadside repair, then your car won't start cuz you drained the battery!

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: lptools on March 14, 2021, 10:11:06 AM

Pretty cool looking tool! Have you drained a battery yet? :grin:

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: bonneyman on March 14, 2021, 10:25:16 AM

Quote from: amecks on March 13, 2021, 08:04:56 PM

Yes, it looks like something from a vintage JC Whitney catalog.  You hook it up, do a roadside repair, then your car won't start cuz you drained the battery!

Oh, the old JC Whitney catalogs! How I used to go thru those and dream about someday having a car and putting all those cool accessories on!

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: p_toad on March 15, 2021, 08:12:02 PM

Them or Warshawsky

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: papadan on March 15, 2021, 09:22:59 PM

Yep, small DC carbon arc torch. Handy for soldering hose necks back onto radiators. Back when everything was brass instead of aluminum and plastic.  :grin:

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: Lostmind on March 16, 2021, 08:27:21 AM

I worked at an ignition/electrical shop in the 60's.
We used a similar piece to solder brushes in starters.

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: amecks on March 17, 2021, 07:32:52 PM

I'm guessing there was a lead filler rod or wire solder that you fed into the arc, sorta like a crude heliarc welder?

Title: Re: What is this electrical device?
Post by: Catch22! on April 20, 2021, 10:09:47 PM

We used to make these out of an old D cell battery core and a jumper cable.   It will work for a while if you need to weld something away from the house.