Extension Cord for Table Saw/Router table

[Paulski]

I want to make a more permeant extension cord for my table saw:

Here's what I have
15 amp Delta table saw 36-725T2 induction motor
Built into the end of the table is a old craftsman router (basically this set up

)
I run a 5 gal rigid shop vac for dust collection
I drag the table out to the driveway to use
I have a outlet outside on a dedicated 20amp breaker (~50' run of 12 gauge wire from the breaker panel to the outlet)

What I want to do is:
Bolt on a 2 gang box with 4 outlets to the table saw frame
Plug in all 3 devices to the outlets
Run a 25' cord from the 2 gang box to outdoor receptacle to power everything (would never have the router and table saw running at the same time, both switches are mounted so they can not be easliy turned on at the same time)

1) Is this a bad idea?
2) What type of cable to use for the 25' cord? I found SJEOOW at McMaster Carr that looks like it specs out
3) 10 or 12 Gauge wire?

 

[rkevins]

By the time you buy the wire and cord cap it may be cheaper to go buy a 25' extension cord and just cut off the female end, also that way you have a molded plug. We carried extension cords on our service trucks to cut up for cord drops, we would catch them on sale and stock up.

 

[Paulski]

good point, looks like $45 for 12/3 cable, I found a southwire 12/3 extension cord for $32

 

[PugetDude]

^^ This^^

I would buy a good quality 25' 12/3 cord (your wall outlet probably isn't rated for more than 20Amps anyway) and cut the female end off and wire it into a weathertite outdoor receptacle box with a strain relief bushing.
Flexilla, Woods, Southwire have all served me well. Several USA made available if you search a bit.

 

[ez-duzit]

Get the heaviest triple-tap cord. Done.

 

[tarmy]

Do this then…all my portable tools have 20-25feet of cord…hand tools as well.

 

[Paulski]

Tarmy - what type of cord is that? Did you use 10 or 12 gauge?

 

[Nutria]

People always debate over- and underkill on extension cord gauge. Seems like cheap insurance to me to go bigger, so I use 10 ga on mine, particularly with higher amperage machinery.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Tarmy - what type of cord is that? Did you use 10 or 12 gauge?

Zoom in … 10/3 SJOW.

 

[tarmy]

Zoom in … 10/3 SJOW.

Yeppers…

 

[ddawg16]

I have a good story about extension cords and saws...RAsaw in this case.

I was living in a Condo and had half of a garage to use. So I had my woodworking tools in it.
I was having issues with me CM RA saw getting up to speed.
While troubleshooting it, I took off the blade and stated it. Got up to speed just fine.
Note....I was running it off 'what I thought was a HD extension cord'.

It spun up just fine with no blade. So I put the blade back on. 'hand tightened the nut'.

Started operating the saw a few more times until I noticed the nut coming loose. Right behind it was the blade.
The blade came of....almost cut in half a sanding block...shot across the garage...up the wall..halfway across the ceiling...dropped down...shot back across the garage where the blade imbedded itself into a box.

I wish I had video of it....

My problem with the saw? 50' Extension cord was made of 16 AWG wire....The voltage drop was too great.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

Over time I have extended the power cords of my mobile power tools with 12 gauge extension cords. The Grizzly bandsaw shipped with a 6' cord which I swapped it out for a 25' cord immediately and I did the same when I rebuilt the Delta bandsaw I snagged at the curb.

I like the orange and grey Ridgid cords from Home Depot as they remain pliable in cold weather.

Cheers

Jim

 

[rdoty]

Here is a 12/3 extension cord for $25: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V9387SM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

At this distance you will have minimal problems with voltage drop. The outlet you plug it into is only rated for 15 amps. 14/3 is probably fine, but I've used the 12/3 extension cords wired into a four outlet utility box on a utility cart and welding cart - works great!

 

[Sumboodie]

What

I have a good story about extension cords and saws...RAsaw in this case.

I was living in a Condo and had half of a garage to use. So I had my woodworking tools in it.
I was having issues with me CM RA saw getting up to speed.
While troubleshooting it, I took off the blade and stated it. Got up to speed just fine.
Note....I was running it off 'what I thought was a HD extension cord'.

It spun up just fine with no blade. So I put the blade back on. 'hand tightened the nut'.

Started operating the saw a few more times until I noticed the nut coming loose. Right behind it was the blade.
The blade came of....almost cut in half a sanding block...shot across the garage...up the wall..halfway across the ceiling...dropped down...shot back across the garage where the blade imbedded itself into a box.

I wish I had video of it....

My problem with the saw? 50' Extension cord was made of 16 AWG wire....The voltage drop was too great.

Is a CMRA saw?

 

[Bucko]

I want to make a more permeant extension cord for my table saw:

Here's what I have
15 amp Delta table saw 36-725T2 induction motor
Built into the end of the table is a old craftsman router (basically this set up

)
I run a 5 gal rigid shop vac for dust collection
I drag the table out to the driveway to use
I have a outlet outside on a dedicated 20amp breaker (~50' run of 12 gauge wire from the breaker panel to the outlet)

What I want to do is:
Bolt on a 2 gang box with 4 outlets to the table saw frame
Plug in all 3 devices to the outlets
Run a 25' cord from the 2 gang box to outdoor receptacle to power everything (would never have the router and table saw running at the same time, both switches are mounted so they can not be easliy turned on at the same time)

1) Is this a bad idea?
2) What type of cable to use for the 25' cord? I found SJEOOW at McMaster Carr that looks like it specs out
3) 10 or 12 Gauge wire?

This is what I would do and it leaves one extra outlet for something else if needed. I actually use to make the same cords as a kid for my dad when he was in construction. He would destroy the plastic outlet strips but not these. They would also sit face up on the ground to make it easy to plug stuff into. I have several mounted on the sides of my penninnsula push off bench for my table saw that also doubles as an assembly/work table.

 

[BukitCase]

"What.... is a CMRA saw?"

I'm guessing it's a CM (craftsman) RA (Radial Arm) saw

Don'cha just LUV acronyms? I even saw "TLA" somewhere, found out they used it for Three Letter Acronym. Sheesh... Steve

 

[ddawg16]

What

Is a CMRA saw?

Yup.....don't have it any more....replaced it with a sliding compound miter saw

 

[Sumboodie]

"What.... is a CMRA saw?"

I'm guessing it's a CM (craftsman) RA (Radial Arm) saw

Don'cha just LUV acronyms? I even saw "TLA" somewhere, found out they used it for Three Letter Acronym. Sheesh... Steve

I would have never guessed. I was thinking it was a brand or type of saw.
Concrete, metal, rebar, asbestos... ? Haha.

 

[BukitCase]

"I was thinking it was a brand or type of saw"

In a way, it's actually BOTH - CM = brand, RA = type

OK, in all fairness I sorta cheated - I have FOUR "CMRA's) - 2 10" and 2 12" - the first 12" my dad paid for as we were packing up to move to Hawaii - used it to build shipping crates for our ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD (including one for the saw)

2 years later, Dad was dead from a heart attack @ 63. NEVER gettin' rid of THAT one.

Others: second 12" is a parts machine to keep the first one going, $10 CL find. One of the 10's is fully functional and looks brand new, $35 CL find - last one ($10 CL find) WAS gonna be an alternate mount for plasma torch, that project is indefinitely on hold

I don't believe the common saying, "he who dies with the most tools wins" - My version of that is "he who dies with the most unfinished PROJECTS wins" - even tho you're dead either way, the second version makes it likely you will have NEVER been BORED ... Steve