When my welding rod becomes too short to manage, I was taught to tack it onto the end of another rod to use every last inch. I made this holding jig to simplify that.

Fits 1/16" and .045" rods.

It uses two glued-in 10mm x 2mm magnets that hold the jig to your table, hold the rods in their place, and provide the grounding connection between the two. So MAKE SURE THE MAGNETS ARE WELL SEATED or you won't get a clean circuit.

I also noticed that if your rod is longer and wobbling back and forth it will try to bounce out of the jig toward the center of the magnet, so just stabilize it for a second before letting go.

Possible magnet link: https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Magnets-Permanent-Building-Scientific/dp/B07KMXSLRB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1TV7ZD15TVZMT&dchild=1&keywords=10x2+magnets&qid=1592314443&sprefix=10x2+ma%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-2