Rewiring air compressor for 240V -- how to make/buy cord?

I just got an air compressor (Craftsman model 19541) that I'd like to run off of 240V. Sears sells a cord for it that looks (from the picture in the compressor manual) to have a NEMA 6-20P plug, but with shipping it's going to cost me close to $30. Seems silly to spend clsoe to 10% of the cost of the whole unit on a power cord, especially when it would have a straight plug and I would prefer an angled plug.

Would it be a bad idea for me to get a plug and some cord (what type?) and put them together myself? Can I buy a ready-made generic 6-20P cordset and use that instead? Crimp lugs for termination? Any advice greatly appreciated.

(I suppose I could just cut the plug off the existing cord and put a new plug on it, but I would prefer to keep the 120V cord it came with intact in case I ever need it.)

 

Do you plan to keep this compressor stationary or do you need it mobile? If you plan to keep it in 1 place, I'd just hard wire it.

 

If you are wanting to save money, use the existing cord. Put a 240 volt 20 amp plug on it. If you ever need to revert to 120 volts, just change the wiring back in the peckerhead and install the original plug back on the cord. You know you have to rewire the motor, and not just change the plug, right???

 

Yep, I know. That part is easy.

I think maybe it makes the most sense to either pony up for the Sears 240V cord or just replace the plug on the 120V cord as you suggest.

 

I didn't mean to seem elementary, but just changing the plug would be a problem, and I just wanted to make sure all would go well. The cord you have will work just fine, and they aren't rated by voltage, but by amperage, and as voltage goes up, amperage goes down arithmetically. Just rewire the motor and change the plug. Let us know how it goes. I like all my large tools in my shop on 240 volts...radial arm, table saw, etc. Not for savings, but for quick and solid spool up speed.

 

No problem. Better safe than sorry, and I'm sure many people have made that mistake and wished someone had warned them first.