power tool cords

[bagged89s10]

What do you all use for replacement cords for your shop tools? All my motors on my tools are under 15amps so is 14 gauge cord sufficient? Do you like cords with molded plugs or separate cables and plugs?

I believe SJO cord is what I want which is junior power cable, rubber, and oil resistant. I hate the plastic cords especially in the winter. The below have molded plug ends which I’m thinking for a safer connection.

Are these good or do you have a better suggestion?


Power Cord, 5-15P, SJO, 12 ft., Blk, 15A, 14/3
https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-power-cord-5-15p-sjo-12-ft-blk-15a-143-e3605/i/G0905143/

Power Cord, 5-15P, SJO, 6 ft., Blk, 15A, 14/3
https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-power-cord-5-15p-sjo-6-ft-blk-15a-143-e3607/i/G3334642/

 

[The Cobbler]

I have rolls of cable, often I will replace a bad cord with a much longer one. no need for extension cord then. add a good plug.
not kosher with everyone, but I accept that

 

[bagged89s10]

I have rolls of cable, often I will replace a bad cord with a much longer one. no need for extension cord then. add a good plug.
not kosher with everyone, but I accept that

I was thinking about that too. what are some good plug options?

 

[kbuhagiar]

Cords?
What are these Cords you speak of?

 

[ipdaley]

I cut all the cords off my powered tools (drills, side grinders, jig saw, portable table saw, circular saw, etc.). Put plugs on the stubs and tried to keep under 6 inches. I have two six foot, 12 ga SOOW cables as “extensions”. Those and my overhead reeled power cord allow me to reach anywhere I need. Without all those power cords, my loose tools NEVER get tangled when I put them in the bottom of tool chest. Best thing I ever did.

 

[plinker]

I was thinking about that too. what are some good plug options?

I like Levinton plugs, this one is the better one they make as it has a rubber seal that the cord passes through. HD has them in store as well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FKBZ7M/?coliid=I11BHCAJSVI2DC&colid=2NSE5U6ZP291O&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[bagged89s10]

I cut all the cords off my powered tools (drills, side grinders, jig saw, portable table saw, circular saw, etc.). Put plugs on the stubs and tried to keep under 6 inches. I have two six foot, 12 ga SOOW cables as “extensions”. Those and my overhead reeled power cord allow me to reach anywhere I need. Without all those power cords, my loose tools NEVER get tangled when I put them in the bottom of tool chest. Best thing I ever did.

that’s a good idea for those types of tools. i’m talking like drill press, table saw, and pedestal grinders.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Very few (if any) hand held power tools use more than 10A (continuous). 16 gauge is adequate.

I'll bet more than 50% of the framers running circular saws are using 16 gauge extension cords, 100' or more !

 

[ItsNemo]

I cut all the cords off my powered tools (drills, side grinders, jig saw, portable table saw, circular saw, etc.). Put plugs on the stubs and tried to keep under 6 inches. I have two six foot, 12 ga SOOW cables as “extensions”. Those and my overhead reeled power cord allow me to reach anywhere I need. Without all those power cords, my loose tools NEVER get tangled when I put them in the bottom of tool chest. Best thing I ever did.

I wouldn't want the bulk of a plug set 6 inches off the tool...plus unless the plugs were tight it would probably constantly get pulled apart. No thanks. I just wrap up the cords and use little velcro straps or cable clamps or similar to keep the cords neat.

 

[techieman33]

You should be able to get SJOOW by the foot at any big box store. It sounds like your doing stationary stuff, if that's the case then figure out how long you need each cable to be and make them that length or a little longer. 14/2 should be fine for anything in the 15 amp range. But if you start doing handheld stuff then figure out what it draws and stepping down to 16/2 or 18/2. No point in dealing with the extra weight and size if you don't have to. And it'll still get stiff in the cold, it's just not nearly as bad as that vinyl coated ****.

And the Leviton plugs posted should be just fine to use. If they're properly installed they won't give you any issues. I work with a lot of touring concerts and you wouldn't believe the abuse they stand up to.

 

[dscheidt]

You should be able to get SJOOW by the foot at any big box store. It sounds like your doing stationary stuff, if that's the case then figure out how long you need each cable to be and make them that length or a little longer. 14/2 should be fine for anything in the 15 amp range. But if you start doing handheld stuff then figure out what it draws and stepping down to 16/2 or 18/2. No point in dealing with the extra weight and size if you don't have to. And it'll still get stiff in the cold, it's just not nearly as bad as that vinyl coated ****.

And the Leviton plugs posted should be just fine to use. If they're properly installed they won't give you any issues. I work with a lot of touring concerts and you wouldn't believe the abuse they stand up to.

The Home depot near me has stopped selling SJOOW by the foot, I wanted to buy some to replace the cord on my miter saw. The guy in electrical didn't know if that's just that store, or a general change. The rack of wire spools they cut was pretty empty, lots of things they used to have are now special order only (of course, if you're going to order it, order it from somewhere that's half HD's price....). They've gotten rid of lots of things that require semi-skilled labor, so it wouldn't surprise me if that's next.

 

[techieman33]

The Home depot near me has stopped selling SJOOW by the foot, I wanted to buy some to replace the cord on my miter saw. The guy in electrical didn't know if that's just that store, or a general change. The rack of wire spools they cut was pretty empty, lots of things they used to have are now special order only (of course, if you're going to order it, order it from somewhere that's half HD's price....). They've gotten rid of lots of things that require semi-skilled labor, so it wouldn't surprise me if that's next.

I could see them cutting that section it because they didn't make much money that way. I can't imagine there is much need for wire by the foot. Mostly homeowners wants a few feet of this or that. And that market is probably shrinking every year. Cutting the cable sure doesn't require a lot of skill. Measure, cut, label.

 

[rick carpenter]

My little Husky compressor had about 6' of 14 ga power cord. I rewired it with 25' of 12 ga SJOOW so no one including me would be tempted to use an extension cord on it. I used a heavy duty strain relief and a LeGrand waterproof plug. It has worked very well.

 

[6PTsocket]

As long as we are throwing SO letters around, here is the breakdown. S= portable cordage. J=junior grade (300 volts max) Without J= 600 volts max. One O= oil resistant outter insulation. OO= Oil resistant outter insulation and the insulation on indivdual wires. W= water resistant. The only advantage of thick, bulky, more expensive SO is that the higher voltage rating has thicker rubber which gives a little more abrasion protection even if the higher voltage rating is not needed. Knowing what SO, SJOOW, SJW, etc. mean allows you to select what you need. I prefer a molded plug if I can get it but I am not above using a good separate plug.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Reed Prince]

When I want a really good plug I use one of these.

 

[gahrajmahal]

This was on my to do list. I was thinking of buying a 100 foot low temp flexible 12ga extension cord and cutting that up to replace the power cords on several saws, grinders etc. 12ga mainly for the strength. Was looking for good cord strain reliefs and waterproof plugs.

 

[ddawg16]

Most of my cords get damaged up near the tool. I typically pull it apart and just shorten the cord. As noted above by a few, most power tools use 16g wire....which in short lengths is fine.

You can buy at HD replacement cords, typically in 3' & 6' lengths. I prefer this to putting a big Hubbell mail plug on the end. I also prefer shorter cords....easier to store. It's rare I'm close enough to an outlet to not need an extension.