Dryer Outlet Splitter - Buy or Make?

[Patrick Irish]

Thinking about getting this for $72 shipped. Would it be cheaper to make it? I only have 1 220 in my garage and it's used by the dryer, 5hp sawstop, 3hp jointer, and 5hp planer. I have to unplug each tool to use it and it's pain because the dryer outlet is behind the stacked washer dryer and a reach every time.

My dad plans to run some 220 and a sub panel but he's busy and who knows how long that will happen. I thought about getting a splitter like this which would allow me to have two tools plugged in BUT BUT I would only use one at a time. I'm the only one using my tools too, small 2 car garage. Being able to rip and then head to the jointer without having to unplug would be nice. Or keep saw plugged in and dryer plugged in so wife doesnt get mad about doing laundry and waiting for me.

[Lee Schierer]

I'm not sure I would use one. Too much chance of running two things at the same time and overloading the circuit.

[Steve Peterson]

You still have to take turns using the dryer and the saw, assuming that there is a properly sized circuit breaker. It would be a lot more convenient to let both stay plugged in all the time.

220V plugs and sockets typically run about $10 each. I would buy the pre-built one.

[Patrick Kane]

Yeah, you can make a homemade version of that for $30ish with a nice rubber coated 8 gauge cord. Up to you, if you value $35+/- more than 15 mins of your time. Assuming you are running everything off a 30a line, then i dont believe that little accessory is code compliant. Pretty sure 30amp 220v and up lines have to be dedicated circuits. Then again, im no electrician...

Not being able to use my tools at the same time as the dryer would kill my sundays.

[Jim Riseborough]

I just wired 2 plugs to my circuit. One is full time for the air compressor. Other is extension cord for tools I have to plug in. Since most of my work revolves around my bench, I am going to install plugs so I can 'plug in' my bench, and then run any tool I want to off it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Mark Bolton]

Dont even bother with the splitter cord. Just pickup some boxes, some receptacles, and some nipples and set a series of receptacles next to the dry receptacle (or spread them out with conduit wherever you want). Plug in the dry, or 100 dryers, and 10 jointers, 9 table saws, and three french hens, and go on. The breaker will protect you from running the dryer, a table saw, and a french hen at the same time. You will find that you can easily run two tools at the same time on a breaker sized for a single tool but you likely never will. You can buy all the metal boxes, nipples, receptacles, and covers, for slightly more than that pigtail you posted and youll never have to plug/unplug a single tool.

[Mike Cutler]

I would just buy it.
The NEC stops at the wall. Plug in the cord.
I'd get the 240 wired throughout the garage as soon a possible. That cord is kind of a "hokey" solution. Definitely not something for the long term.
According to posts on the Tesla Forum, Home Depot has one for $30.00 less.

[Art Mann]

I think that is the single most important point that has been made in this thread so far. I wish more people knew that. The NEC says a lot about permanent installations in an industrial environment that do not apply to individuals and home environments.

The NEC stops at the wall. Plug in the cord.

[Bob Bouis]

There's no rule that says your tools all have to plugs on them. Or maybe there is; I'm not an electrician or an expert on building codes. But you could, functionally at least, just get a dryer cord, a junction box, some clamps and wire nuts [or terminals], then tie 'em all together with one plug. Cost about $20 and you could have everything "plugged in" at the same time.

[Curt Harms]

I'm not sure I would use one. Too much chance of running two things at the same time and overloading the circuit.

I don't know that it'd be practical $$ wise but you could install a transfer switch like generators require. Either the dryer or tool outlets would be powered, never both.

[Bill Dufour]

When I lived in a duplex I did like others here I plugged a cord into the 30 amp dryer outlet that went into a breaker box. I had a 30 amp dryer outlet coming out of the box and then ran some 240 and 120 outlets off the box as well. I ran the tablesaw and dryer at the same time once or twice and nothing tripped. This was all attached to a scrap of plywood that I took with me when I moved.
Bill D.

[Julie Moriarty]

When I lived in a duplex I did like others here I plugged a cord into the 30 amp dryer outlet that went into a breaker box. I had a 30 amp dryer outlet coming out of the box and then ran some 240 and 120 outlets off the box as well. I ran the tablesaw and dryer at the same time once or twice and nothing tripped. This was all attached to a scrap of plywood that I took with me when I moved.
Bill D.

What you're describing here Bill, is a lot like the temporary panels installed on jobsites during construction. Most of the contractors I worked for had panels mounted to a sheet of plywood. Under the panels were junction boxes, each with double duplex receptacles. If, say, the iron workers needed a welder hooked up, they usually provided a temporary box with a cable attached that we'd hook up to the appropriately sized breaker. This temporary installation was used on every building until a permanent service and power distribution was completed. It certainly works. But there is always an electrician on site to fix any problems.

Depending on the individual, this kind of thing could be used in an application such as what the OP described. But unless the person building the temp distribution knows what they are doing, it's best to bring in some knowledgeable assistance if that's the direction one wants to go.

[John K Jordan]

...Would it be cheaper to make it? ...

Yes, cheaper. Should you make one? Do you have the time, inclination, and experience? (Possibly not since you asked the question.)

I tend to make all such things. Get a box (or two if splitting), a couple of receptacles, a plug, and some properly sized flexible cord at an electrical supply house or big box store. Wire it safely with proper insulation and strain relief. Done.

One advantage of making one is you can make one cord as long as needed for easy access. I made a 30 ft extension cord for a 50 amp circuit to power my welders and plasma cutter out away from the shop as needed to work on trailers and tractors and such.

JKJ,

[Bill Dufour]

I would make one. Then when the other 240 line is run you can take it apart and use the plug and outlets rather then throw it away.
Further I would not trust something like that ,made in China, would use big enough wire. Regardless of what the label claims.
Bill D.

[Patrick Irish]

Something like this? I'm not 100% clear on how to wire the male plug to two female outlets.