Originally Posted by
nonsense
A friend of mine was refused boarding in Saigon because of a packet of electric arc welding rods in his checked baggage. Apparently they're "explosive"...
He flew a couple of days later carrying the same welding rods without any problems.
I'm convinced most TSA are making it up as they go along.
More than once I've made a multi stop hop around the country, only to be told something I've been carrying on the entire trip is not allowed.
The last time was coming out of YUL.
A small end wrench on my key ring was no longer acceptable. 4mm/6mm ends, maybe 2.5mm thick and ~40mm long.
Maybe they thought I would disassemble the plane in flight.
My French was not good enough to debate it, so I took it off the ring and gave it to her.
Originally Posted by
Smdts
Perhaps they mistaken them for TIG welding rods, some of them are mildly radioactive, harmless normally bur not good if they are abraded and you ingest the dust.
I think you're referring to the tungsten electrode, which conducts the arc that melt the materials being joined.
Grinding a point on it for DC welding ferrous metals does emit some radiation.
As you've said, tungsten dust isn't good for one to breathe.