Help ID Please! Small metal rods found on beach in WA

[Mollymolly]

Hi there! We have been finding small metal rods between three and four inches long and about the diameter of a pen on the beaches in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. We think they are carbon and some kind of industrial byproduct. Anyone have any insight? In the last year we’ve found probably 20. They’re black, completely straight, and fairly lightweight, though they do sink.
Thanks!

 

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[DiamondDan]

A picture tells a thousand words.

 

[ARC]

I will solve this without even seeing a picture.



Tent Stakes. :P

 

[Mollymolly]

View attachment 1733837

 

[Mollymolly]

I think I managed to post a photo... having trouble but I think it worked.

 

[digging440yrs]

I tried , but it says invalid attachment

 

[laralucine]

They're from old batteries, toss 'em

 

[jeff of pa]

View attachment 1733837View attachment 1733842

Picture Fixed

 

[ivanll]

They look like worn or broken carbon stirring rods we use when melting precious metal.


Look up carbon stirring rods.


Also carbon rods were once used in 35mm film projectors.


Look up Arc Carbon Rods.


Could also have been used with Slate writing tablets in the 1800, they were very noisy to write on with certain sticks.


ivanll

 

[niffler]

Agree, carbon cores from old batteries. I have found some about 1 inch in diameter and 10 inches long in addition to ones the size of your finds. I keep mine, but most people toss them I think.