Anyone running a "short cord" shop?

[toddmp]

I dont know what else to call it. I have been in a few old timers garages over the years that have cut the cord (to about 1ft) and rewired the plug on almost all power tools new and old. This leads them to just have to pull down the retractable extension cord and plug in whatever they are using. Keeps the cord mess to a minimum.

Anyone else running a shop like this? Any pros and cons you want to mention?

 

[jakemac]

I go the opposite way. Anytime I rewiire a machine I use a minimum 6' cord, sometimes longer. That way I can reach a outlet without having an extension cord underfoot to trip on.

 

[astroracer]

I go longer when I can also. I don't have drop downs but, 90% of the time, I am working close enough to an outlet I can plug in direct and forgo the extension cords.
All of my work tables have built in outlets with long cords so the regular tails on the power tools work just fine when plugged into the work stations
Mark.

 

[rlitman]

Plugs get expensive fast. Anyway, I'd prefer the weight of the plug to be at least 3' from the tool. What I do, is Velcro all but the four feet of cord on the tool into a loop that hangs from the plug. And I've got outlets within reach of every working surface.

 

[toddmp]

maybe it truly was an old school method before an over abundance of outlets become the norm?

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have plug strips down both walls of my garage, so there is an out let every 6 inches. No need for short cords..

 

[woody 73]

I have only one machine with a short cord set-up and the rest all have very long cords; because in my old shop I could move the machines into the center and I had a pig tail in the center up on the very top rafter.

Too save money in my new man cave I had only one outlet and I made a 20 foot cord that could be plugged in any machine, now mind you we are only talking about 220 v not 120.

 

[Duker]

I started switching to Neutrik connectors as my cords wore out. I think I have done 3 tools so far out of maybe 9-10 corded tools (i.e. 1/4 sheet pad sanders, grinders etc.) set up with these now. I make the tool end short with a male connector and use a female on a longer cord. This way I just change out the tool and have a single cord. I was trying to find a pic I thought I had on my phone but I guess I erased it. I have attached some stock photos. Its a bit bulky hanging off the end of my 1/4 sheet pad sanders but it makes it easy to change sanders that have different grits. Everything else I like better as it makes for easier storage.

Edit: I forgot to mention I stole this idea from someone else on here who I can't remember at the moment otherwise I would give them credit.

 

[My Old Tools]

I thought short cords were invented by accountants trying to screw us out of a nickel.

 

[firworks]

I'm not sure if my setup counts as short cord but I only have one outlet in my garage... Thus I keep one extension cord on it and have tied a loop in it that I hang from my tablesaw fence rail. Then I just grab that loop and bring it to whatever tool I'm using. I would not reccomend it to anyone. Having a reel on the ceiling would make it a little better except the ceiling in my garage is only 7ft so I'd hit my head on a reel.

 

[nadogail]

I only concern myself with "Short Cords" when I buy firewood.

 

[pendragon1998]

I hate cords. I like the idea. Ideally you would have an outlet behind the bench and a dropdown cord above the bench for maximum flexibility.

 

[LesserSon]

I have a couple short cord tools. Hand-held belt sander ate its own tail, gave me the idea. Tools that have that kind of appetite probably make the most sense. Circular saws and jig saws, sometimes the plug gets snagged in the cut or on the edge of sheet goods. Easier to keep clear if it's where you can see it. For drills and screw shooter, especially overhead, you need some reach without the bulk of the plug, so I like them long. I drape a loop over my shoulder including the plug when possible. When you store a hand held tool, the main issue is how to loop that cord, isn't it?
I really like Duker's solution. You could have a few extensions of different length. Besides job site safety, all circuits lose power the longer they are. You can make up for it a little with a heavier gage wire, but for max power, you should use the shortest that's practible.
For stationary tools, it's cord management. If your equipment is mostly up against walls, looped cords aren't really a tripping problem. But if your equipment is more central, and you mostly run one machine at a time because you work alone or have a limited number of circuits, the overhead reel seems like a good setup.
I think the idea may have come from air tools. How many of those have you seen with 6 feet of air hose permanently attached? One of my favorite features of my Milwaukee Sawzall is the twist lock cord. Sort of wish every tool I owned was like that, then three or four cords of different lenth - presto - no extension cord needed!

 

[Bogash]

maybe it truly was an old school method before an over abundance of outlets become the norm?

That sounds right.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Black and Decker did this years ago under the logic that even a 6' cord was likely not going to be long enough.