Anyone know what this is?

[Archae]

I found it in my closet, my Dad gave it to me decades ago.

If I plug it in the spike sparks with static electricity.

Link to tweet

[petronius]

1. Engraver? (nt)

[Archae]

3. I don't think so.

Doesn't rotate, just sparks.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

22. Electric arc engravers don't rotate

See, e.g., this randomly chosen ad
https://www.penntoolco.com/newage-electric-arc-etching-pen-model-300/

[Bucky]

2. Self defense

Especially effective in close quarters

[Arne]

4. Love things like this,

So I'll take some guesses,
First is a degausser.
Second is, picture tube anode probe.

[Karadeniz]

5. Wood burning tool ?

[Wounded Bear]

8. GMTA...:)

[Wounded Bear]

6. Wood burning tool?

[unblock]

7. A better pic of the label might be helpful

[Archae]

12. Can't get a decent picture of the label, it;s too small.

Label says "Electro Technic Products, Inc."

120 volts, .35 amps

High frequency generator

(I needed a magnifying glass to see what the label said)

[unblock]

17. Here we go:

Leak & Holiday Detectors
Shop our high voltage testers most commonly used for vacuum leak detection in vials, glass and porosity testing to identify holidays or pinholes in rubber linings, injection molds and welds.

https://www.electrotechnicproducts.com/leak-holiday-detectors

[Archae]

19. Thanks, but what do they mean by "holidays?"

[unblock]

21. -

A holiday test is an inspection method used to detect discontinuities in painted/coated surfaces using specialized tools and equipment. These tools, called holiday detectors, are portable devices that are swept across the coated surface.

Holidays tests work on the concept of electrical conductivity. Metal substrates are excellent conductors of electricity, and therefore allow current to flow through them. On the other hand, many coatings are poor conductors of electricity and resist the flow of electricity. Using this principle, holiday tests use instruments to locate flaws in anticorrosive paints and coatings.

During holiday testing, a ground wire and probing electrode are attached to the same power source. The ground wire is clamped to the specimen being tested while the probe is swept across the surface of the metal substrate. If the probe comes into contact with a coating discontinuity, the exposed metal completes the electrical circuit between the electrode and the grounding wire, resulting in a flow of electricity. This electricity shows up on an indicator, alerting the equipment operator of the defect.

While holiday tests are effective, they do possess limitations. Because these tests depend on the coating being non-conductive, they are not effective on conductive metallic coatings, such as zinc-rich primers.

A holiday test is also known as a continuity test.

https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/1595/holiday-test

[unblock]

9. Ooh right, I like the fire starter guess

[OilemFirchen]

10. Tesla Coil

BD-10AS High Frequency Generator, 115V (Tesla Coil)

... an electrical transformer that uses high-frequency alternating current (AC) to increase voltage. Because of its extremely high voltage, the electricity in a Tesla coil can travel through the air, powering—or damaging—nearby electronic devices, often with arcs of lightninglike electricity.

https://www.britannica.com/technology/Tesla-coil

[Archae]

13. What would it be used on?

I would guess it would fry electronic stuff.

[OilemFirchen]

15. It's handy to light a bulb if you're not close to the switch.

Of course, the bulb will only continue to light while the coil is activated and pointed at it.

Otherwise, I dunno. One of the physics geeks should be along shortly...

[Brother Buzz]

16. For testing Flux Capacitors

https://www.oreillyauto.com/flux-capacitor

[surrealAmerican]

20. good for testing neon tubes ...

... without having to plug them into a transformer.

[Goddessartist]

11. A soldering iron

I think. They get nice and hot and one can cut into pink hardware foam and sculpt with it.

[doc03]

14. A sex toy. nt

[ret5hd]

18. OK...just this once i wanna watch.

[Niagara]

23. I'm agreeing with post #11. It looks like a hand held soldering iron to me.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/a41977866/best-soldering-iron/

[ZoltarSpeaks]

24. Some called it correctly: it's a hand-held Tesla coil for testing neon/argon lighting

I have one just like it. It generates a high-frequency high-voltage at the probe end that will illuminate neon and fluorescent tubes simply by holding it nearby. The tip will produce a spark about 1-1/2" long off anything metal but it is such a high frequency and low current that you can hold the piece of metal in your hand and receive the discharge without any painful shock. Taking the spark to the skin directly will tingle and even burn a bit though.

The knob at the cord end is an adjustment for the spark intensity and uses a standard spark coil vibrator circuit.

Many antique variations of this can be found at flea markets. They fall into the category of medical quackery devices and were called Violet Ray Machines. They usually came boxed with several assorted gas filled glass probes that were presumably used for treating various medical conditions.

The device pictured is a relatively modern unit that was sold by neon supply houses specifically for non-contact testing of gas filled tubes.