Is clamping the ends of bars to heat them a good method? 

Yes, typically that is a resistance type heating setup where you're clamping two electrodes onto the metal rod.

Yes, typically that is a resistance type heating setup where you're clamping two electrodes onto the metal rod. This type of process is probably the most

efficient. But there are some safety concerns about isolating that metal

rod as the electric current is being run through it. If all the safety concerns

are taken into account and you have an operating or workforce that allows you

to run this type of a process without having any safety concerns, then

it's a good process, it's extremely efficient.