What Do the Pros Say About This?


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Old 09-17-12, 12:57 PM
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What Do the Pros Say About This?

What do you guys say about doing this to keep my tools from coming unplugged?

 
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Old 09-17-12, 01:07 PM
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Well...not a Pro....but I do that (with a little larger loop) on my extension cords for shop vacs and saws and such that I need to move around. In your pic...you are putting some stress on the small plug. They make cord keepers that snap on to both sides...but they don't work with big plugs.
 
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Old 09-17-12, 01:09 PM
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Done it before, but not as secure as a cord lock. It also probably leads to stress on the strands due to the tight bends.
 
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Old 09-17-12, 01:39 PM
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I've been doing it that way for years. Had to replace a cord cap or two along the way.
 
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Old 09-17-12, 02:58 PM
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Old 09-17-12, 03:30 PM
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Lots of people do it and it doesn't seam to be much of a hazard. Sheet rockers don't like to do it because it is a big knob that gets hung up on doors.
 
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Old 09-17-12, 03:38 PM
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Add me to the "been doing it for years" column..
 
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Old 09-17-12, 04:08 PM
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I have done it but in recent years I've opted for duct tape at times. My string-trimmer has just an inlet and no cord so no way to loop. My lawn mower has a rubber cord grip that requires bending the cord more then I'm comfortable with.
 
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Old 09-17-12, 06:06 PM
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If the cord caps fit tightly, I don't see the need.
 
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Old 09-17-12, 06:10 PM
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I'm glad you guys had success. I guess I'll continue to do this, and I'll also look at cord locks.
 
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Old 09-17-12, 08:36 PM
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My lawn mower has a rubber cord grip that requires bending the cord more then I'm comfortable with.
Mine does too. Having said that, it's been running fine with the same cord for 7 or 8 years now, and staying outside year-round.

Last Saturday, my neighbor's grandson asked if he could borrow the mower to cut their back yard. I said "Sure" - it's a yard I normally cut anyway. I wandered out on their deck at some point and saw that the mower was sitting in their yard without a cord and that he was running their weed eater with what looked to be the cord off the mower. Still later, I saw that both back yards had been mowed (mine too!) and that the mower had been returned to it's usual storage location with the cord attached and coiled on top of the grass catcher - just the way it was when I gave him the "OK."

I guess I'm ready to reluctantly admit that those tight bends, for secure attachment, can be done without really damaging the cord.
 
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Old 09-18-12, 01:49 PM
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If the cord caps fit tightly, I don't see the need.
Even with my brand new Hubbell connectors, they somehow find a way to work loose.
Mine does too. Having said that, it's been running fine with the same cord for 7 or 8 years now, and staying outside year-round.
Doesn't the cord dry rot? I would imagine it rotting after being outside for that long. Also, the connectors would get all corroded.
 
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Old 09-18-12, 02:42 PM
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Doesn't the cord dry rot? I would imagine it rotting after being outside for that long. Also, the connectors would get all corroded.
Nope, no indication of either.
 
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Old 09-18-12, 04:17 PM
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I use three cords, #12 then #14 then #16. The #14 wouldn't even fit the cord grip and as I said the #16 barely does. Really I should probably use at least #14 to the mower which wouldn't even fit. Makes you wonder what they were thinking when they designed it.
 
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Old 09-18-12, 05:08 PM
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I've been replacing my cords with 12/3 for convenience of being able to plug in anything. I do have a 12/5 cord, too
 
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Old 09-18-12, 05:30 PM
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Whats the 12/5 cord used for?
 
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Old 09-18-12, 06:35 PM
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It's a breakout cord for my generator.
 
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Old 09-18-12, 07:09 PM
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Doesn't the cord dry rot? I would imagine it rotting after being outside for that long. Also, the connectors would get all corroded.
You never have that problem with a Briggs & Stratton.
 
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Old 09-19-12, 05:06 AM
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I've been replacing my cords with 12/3 for convenience of being able to plug in anything
Back when I was working, #12 was all I used since it's main use was powering an airless or air compressor. Today, I don't often venture far from the shop and my new favorite extension cord is a 25' #16

I rarely ever had any issues with the cord coming unplugged but I didn't move it much..... the airless has 103' of spray line.
 
 

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