A whatzit?

[farmerdoug]

Here is something I found in two boxes in the trailer.  Anybody care to guess what it is and what it is used for?

Here is one with handles.




A look inside.



Here is more in the box.

[DanG]

Molds, for..well, er...molding things. ???

[farmerdoug]

Dang,  you are half way there. ;D

I suspect a lineman will know their use.

[farmerdoug]

Since DanG is halfway there, we need what they are used for and how?

[DanG]

Since I got it half right, does that mean I get half of the Knaack boxes? 8)

[LeeB]

Is it a crimper?

[SwampDonkey]

Well I don't know what they were used for, but I'll guess they were used in Spokane. Just so we get that out of the way, anyway. :D

[timberfaller390]

we njeed a better view of the first pic

[thecfarm]

I'll keep this going,insulators?

[Dana]

Is it used to splice the power lines together?

[farmerdoug]

A good guess Dana, among other things.  Now how do they do it?

[Chuck White]

What about using it to apply lead sheathing to underground cables!

[scsmith42]

That, my friend, looks like a mold used for exothermic welding.  The most common brand name is "Cadweld".

Typically it is used for making a permanent attachment of a ground wire to a ground rod.  They are also used to weld ground wires together, to attach ground wires to steel members, etc.

There is no chance of oxidation developing in the completed joint (which can cause interferance to radio equipment at a cell site / repeater site), and the welded connections are very strong.

The ground rod and wire are inserted in the mold, and then a mixture is poured into the mold and ignited.  The mix usually contains something like gunpowder and metal shavings, and it melts around the components, welding them together.

Scott

[farmerdoug]

We have a winner.  8) 8)

Now what am I doing to do with them. : ;D ;D

Anybody need exothermic welding molds in various sizes?

[Gary_C]

Anybody need exothermic welding molds in various sizes?

Ya, Scott needs them. He's the only one that knows how to use them.  8) 8)

[Tom]

They might make a mold for a fishing sinker too. :-\

[Warbird]

They might make a mold for a fishing sinker too. :-\

I was thinking they looked like good boat anchors.  ;D

[scsmith42]

I think that this is the first "Whatsit" that I've won!  I kinda feel like Steve Martin did when he found his name in the phone book.... :D

Doug, as I recall the molds are good for a certain number of charges, and then they've worn to the point where the powder blows out when you light them off, and thus are discarded. 

If yours are unused (or in very good condition), you can probably sell them on e-bay.  Depending upon which molds you have, the price could be anywhere between $15 - 100.00 each.

Scott

[farmerdoug]

They are in various conditions.  Also have four boxes of charges for them too.

Thermite anyone? ;D

[dolittle]

Great explanation guys.  As an ex-electrical contractor I know of this method but have used it nor have I ever seen the equipment to make the weld. 

[sawman]

  When everything works right it does make a heck of a connection.
They are used for grounding connections. We use them alot on grounding to structure
steel.

[Don K]

Just saw this. I knew exactly what they were the moment I saw the pics. I used them alot in the 80's when I worked electrical construction. They will make you check your pants when they get worn and the charge and melted copper blow out from the sides.

Don