Power strip solution at workbench

[Buddro]

I'm away from the house with little to do so I have started contemplating my next shop upgrades. The situation is that I have about a 15, maybe 20 foot fixed work bench with only a single 120 volt outlet at the center. I often have need for more than a few plugs at a time. My current light over the bench plugs in, I often have my phone on charge along with an led light that plugs in plus tool chargers and occasionally a powered tool or two.

The wall behind the bench with the plug is covered in pegboard, I don't particularly want to pull enough pegboard to add multiple outlets spread out so I now contemplate adding a power strip. What kind of solutions are you guys using? I want to set something up that looks clean. Which has me thinking of getting something that can be flush mounted in the pegboard. Hardwired to the back of the current j box would be good as well. I am seeing some power strips with lights on the side that look interesting but I worry that If I mount it low enough to easily reach the plugs the light will be in my eyes and if it's high enough to keep the light out of my eyes reaching across the bench and up to the plugs will be annoying. Any experience?

Interested in any thoughts, philosophy when it comes to bench power. It's only a 15 amp circuit so I don't need anything crazy, and no I don't get silly with my power draws. If I'm running multiple high amp tools I split the load with the 20 amp circuit on the other side of my shop.

Link below is the first example of found on Google of a lighted power strip.

https://www.rockler.com/volt-king-10-outlet-heavy-duty-power-station-with-2-usb-ports-and-led-worklights?country=US&sid=V91074&promo=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla_with_promotion&utm_campaign=PL&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj_CrBhD-ARIsAIiMxT81v9YES49_sKOr1TmKkWmv0ma6pg2uE1TvWHCjL4KvP2Kfw_MJBaAaAgK2EALw_wcB

 

[Buddro]

P.s. spreading the plugs across the bench isn't a big deal to me. Keeping all of my powered work in the middle hasn't been a bother so far, I just don't want to have to constantly switch what is plugged in at the moment.

 

[BukitCase]

I have a few of these, so far no problems - I like having a master and individual switches. They're offered in either a 6' or 10' cord -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08T6VYJQ3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

HTH... Steve

 

[johnre]

I have a setup I like a lot; it's plugmold strip that runs the width of the bench, and it's mounted underneath at the back - that way, power cords can go over the edge of the back and dangle down, or if the back is closed up like mine is for shelving, the bench is drilled and plastic grommeted at the same interval as the plug spacing (mine is 6" interval, so my 6' bench has 11-12 outlets ).

If something is plugged in permanently, I feed the cord through the grommet and plug it in. If it's just a temporary connection, I leave an extension cord there permanently plugged in, and when I need power I simply grab the extension, pull it out, and connect the device. With both types, there's no tangled cord mess hanging around the back of the benchtop, it's all underneath in the back, out of my way and out of sight.

It's wired into a J-box with a switch at the front of the bench, and the switch has a big red light on it indicating power is on. Everything on the bench plugs into this strip; thus I know that if the switch is off, nothing is left powered on. It's a good safety feature.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Space out 3 or 4 double boxes. Install 2 good quality, duplex outlets in each. Make the first one GFCI and daisy chain from there.

Regular outlets are much more durable than outlets in any power strip.

 

[cvairwerks]

I would mount a pair of power strips....one on the pegboard for the fixed stuff like chargers and then one under the front lip of the bench for the tool cords. Nothing more frustrating than grabbing a plugged in tool and knocking half the stuff on the bench over because the cord got hung on something.

 

[Mike65]

I have a metal power strip attached to the wall just behind the end of the work bench since there is only one outlet by the bench. It has the bench grinder & the work bench light plugged into it so all I have to do is flip the switch on the power strip for instant multiple live outlets.

 

[JeepYJ]

Have you thought about having overhead cords dropped from the ceiling?

 

[gleman]

I have the HF power strip and it's worked well for a few years.

 

[acer66]

I have the HF power strip and it's worked well for a few years.

Do you use the cabinets as additional worktops or why do you put casters on them?

 

[MOS3522]

I recommend a power strip that has a transformer/USB outlets built in, you will find you use that for a lot of stuff.

 

[gleman]

Do you use the cabinets as additional worktops or why do you put casters on them?

I like sticking them together if I have anything large and awkward to work on.

I'm lazy too, so they make cleanup a quick 10 min job.

 

[Snip's]

I'm away from the house with little to do so I have started contemplating my next shop upgrades. The situation is that I have about a 15, maybe 20 foot fixed work bench with only a single 120 volt outlet at the center. I often have need for more than a few plugs at a time. My current light over the bench plugs in, I often have my phone on charge along with an led light that plugs in plus tool chargers and occasionally a powered tool or two.

The wall behind the bench with the plug is covered in pegboard, I don't particularly want to pull enough pegboard to add multiple outlets spread out so I now contemplate adding a power strip. What kind of solutions are you guys using? I want to set something up that looks clean. Which has me thinking of getting something that can be flush mounted in the pegboard. Hardwired to the back of the current j box would be good as well. I am seeing some power strips with lights on the side that look interesting but I worry that If I mount it low enough to easily reach the plugs the light will be in my eyes and if it's high enough to keep the light out of my eyes reaching across the bench and up to the plugs will be annoying. Any experience?

Interested in any thoughts, philosophy when it comes to bench power. It's only a 15 amp circuit so I don't need anything crazy, and no I don't get silly with my power draws. If I'm running multiple high amp tools I split the load with the 20 amp circuit on the other side of my shop.

Link below is the first example of found on Google of a lighted power strip.

https://www.rockler.com/volt-king-10-outlet-heavy-duty-power-station-with-2-usb-ports-and-led-worklights?country=US&sid=V91074&promo=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla_with_promotion&utm_campaign=PL&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj_CrBhD-ARIsAIiMxT81v9YES49_sKOr1TmKkWmv0ma6pg2uE1TvWHCjL4KvP2Kfw_MJBaAaAgK2EALw_wcB

Menards has something similar to what you posted...

 

[Buddro]

I have a setup I like a lot; it's plugmold strip that runs the width of the bench, and it's mounted underneath at the back - and that way, cords can go over the edge of the back and dangle down, or if the back is closed up like mine is for shelving, the bench is drilled and plastic grommeted at the same interval as the plug spacing (mine is 6", so my 6' bench has 11-12 outlets ).

If something is plugged in permanently, I feed the cord through the grommet and plug it in. If it's just a temporary connection, I use an extension cord there permanently, and when I need it I simply grab it, pull it out, and connect the device. With both types, there's no tangled cord mess hanging around the back of the benchtop, it's all underneath in the back, out of my way.

Unfortunately the way my bench is constructed I have no access to the back, it's fixed to the wall. The front has drawers that I believe run all the way up to the table top at the front.

 

[Buddro]

Space out 3 or 4 double boxes. Install 2 good quality, duplex outlets in each. Make the first one GFCI and daisy chain from there.

Regular outlets are much more durable than outlets in any power strip.

I agree, and this is the way I would do it if I was setting the shop up myself. However I bought the house with the pegboard already installed and don't want to pull enough of it out to install multiple boxes. It's mighty old and I don't want it to come apart in the process. I considered doing multiple boxes in the same spot so I would only have to pull one piece of pegboard off. But doing all the wiring in one spot and the esthetics of multiple boxes in one spot doesn't appeal to me. I haven't ruled out a single box with 4 or more outlets but I'm leaning toward a strip.

 

[Buddro]

Have you thought about having overhead cords dropped from the ceiling?

I just added a 40 foot retractable to the ceiling in the center of the shop. Haven't considered drop downs over the bench, my first thought is it will look cluttered but it may be handy enough to justify it. It's a shame no one makes an affordable 6 foot retractable. Two of three of those would be great

 

[Shiftless]

Menards has something similar to what you posted...

That would work for somebody if it was screwed onto the underside of a shelf above the bench.

 

[Buddro]

I recommend a power strip that has a transformer/USB outlets built in, you will find you use that for a lot of stuff.

Those are what I run in the house. These days it's getting to be necessary to get usbc gen whatever the latest is for a lot of equipment.

 

[Shiftless]

You could add surface mount boxes and EMT conduit like I did over the pegboard behind my bench. Here is a pic after I refinished the bench top about 5 years ago. It sure doesn’t look anywhere near this good now,

 

[geneg]

I used the Harbor freight 4 foot strip mounted under the front lip of the workbench top. Ran the supply cord around the end so that the only cords on the work surface are the ones in use. Must have been a while ago - I remember paying around $20 for it.

 

[JeepYJ]

I just added a 40 foot retractable to the ceiling in the center of the shop. Haven't considered drop downs over the bench, my first thought is it will look cluttered but it may be handy enough to justify it. It's a shame no one makes an affordable 6 foot retractable. Two of three of those would be great

You could just drop cords with a 3 or 4 outlet end out of a junction box on the ceiling without having the retractable spools. I like the overhead plugs because it keeps cords off the benches and less tangling.

 

[Buddro]

You could just drop cords with a 3 or 4 outlet end out of a junction box on the ceiling without having the retractable spools. I like the overhead plugs because it keeps cords off the benches and less tangling.

I might stretch my cabe reel over to the work bench and hang it off a hook or a truss for a bit to test it out

 

[Norcal]

Delete.

 

[dave*99]

I also prefer outlets near the front edge of the bench so the cords don't lay across the bench.....for the few times I am using a corded tool.

But a few on the pegboard will be useful too.
Put this over the single J box you already have:

https://www.amazon.com/531511234UB-Pre-Galvanized-Square-Extension-Knockouts/dp/B001M5E9OU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And run EMT out to other surface mounted boxes like this:

 

[tarmy]

you can see two strips tucked under the bench top lip

 

[rharman]

I have a long wiremold strip like what @johnre posted above. Just looped zip-ties through the pegboard in about 4 locations to hold it. It's worked well for 20 years or so.

 

[Buddro]

The wire mold sterips look good and may work if I can find one that will hardwire and and connect at the center if the strip. I am not at the house to check but I am 90% sure my drawers on the front of the bench go all the way to the back of the bench so front mounting is a no go but I could put it atop of a lip I have at the top of the bench. I'm really starting to lean toward a single 3 gang box with 6 total outlets. It would be flush mounted, clean and only take removal of one section of pegboard and be cheap as or cheaper than most of what I am seeing for hardwired power strips.

 

[RAYJAY]

I have the HF power strip and it's worked well for a few years.

have them all over the shop and office there great for the price

 

[nadogail]

I rescued a Plugmold strip from a pile outside a Thrift Shop about 50 years ago, i have no plans to ever give anybody else the opportunity to take it from me

 

[BrandonV]

Just as an FYI don't cheap out on the power strip. I've seen a bunch of them (like this one from HF also AmazonBasics) just have three bare copper wires (like a buss bar) inside poorly attached to the receptacles.

12-Outlet, 4 ft. Metal Power Strip

Amazing deals on this 12 Outlet 4Ft Metal Power Strip at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[johnre]

Regular outlets are much more durable than outlets in any power strip.

Regular outlets have good and bad quality materials and construction.

Power strip outlets likewise have good and bad quality materials and construction.

The plugmold strip I pictured above is at least 40 years old and going strong; I got it used from my employers' salvage store when it was surplussed. I don't know how many years it had prior to me purchasing it.

You usually get whatever quality that you pay for.

 

[75gmck25]

There are higher quality power strips of all different lengths that are sold for computer room installations. Some have an incredible number of receptacles, although that is mostly for convenience, since they can't have more than a total 15 or 20 amp rating for the entire strip. You won't find the large strips at the big box stores or typical online sources, so you usually have to look at industrial supply catalogs or stores. Since they are considered "industrial" they are also often quite expensive.

 

[macnugget]

CRST makes some 6 and 12 socket, individually-switched, metal power strips that I really love. I bought one in November and now I have at least 5 of them mounted all over the place in my garage and workshop. They're solidly built and reasonably priced. I have no complaints, as long as you don't mind the bright colors.

I've found having individual switches for each outlet to be very useful, especially on a workbench.

* https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09M3P2W7M/
* https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097JGGJTW/

 

[theoldwizard1]

Regular outlets have good and bad quality materials and construction.

YES ! I prefer Leviyom Commercial Grade receptacles.

Power strip outlets likewise have good and bad quality materials and construction.

The plugmold strip I pictured above is at least 40 years old and going strong; I got it used from my employers' salvage store when it was surplussed. I don't know how many years it had prior to me purchasing it.

40 years later, a lot of "cost reduction" have occured and "commercial grade" power strips are not cheap.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I did EMT and boxes. I also mounted some under the front edge, they are very handy working in front of the bench and if I'm using corded tools the cord isn't dragging across whatever I am working on.

 

[Shiftless]

I did EMT and boxes. I also mounted some under the front edge, they are very handy working in front of the bench and if I'm using corded tools the cord isn't dragging across whatever I am working on.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This

 

[rharman]

On a previous bench, I built a chase out of 1x4 across the back. It served several purposes:
Shelf for aerosol cans or <whatever>
2-Gang outlets spaced across the face
A space to run compressed air hose from one end to the other

I had plans to build it out of 1x6 and run a shop-vac hose across the bench as well but opted to skip that at the time.

 

[Buddro]

There are higher quality power strips of all different lengths that are sold for computer room installations. Some have an incredible number of receptacles, although that is mostly for convenience, since they can't have more than a total 15 or 20 amp rating for the entire strip. You won't find the large strips at the big box stores or typical online sources, so you usually have to look at industrial supply catalogs or stores. Since they are considered "industrial" they are also often quite expensive.

A lot of the strips for server rooms and the sort are wired with multiple circuits to allow high draw from many outlets.

 

[BrandonV]

A lot of the strips for server rooms and the sort are wired with multiple circuits to allow high draw from many outlets.

I know that feeling. The power strips I use at work have computers in them .

 

[Moldyjim]

Menards has something similar to what you posted...

Wow, they want $69 for the same thing at Bimart in Oregon. I saw the ad (without price) and went to get one, but that's too much. For $22 it would be worth it.