Extension Cords For The Shop

[Joe Wood]

I need a few more cords for the shop. What's a nice flexible brand / type I should get? These would prob be 20' and maybe 25'.

[Dan Friedrichs]

I like SOOW cords: https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/electrical-cords-surge-protectors/extension-cords/cerrowire-reg-soow-portable-power-cable/283-3403ar/p-1444439070483-c-6410.htm

Perhaps overkill, but hard to beat that heavy/quality feel.

[Warren Lake]

SOW 10/3 four together is 100 feet

[Joe Wood]

yeah I don't need heavy duty, these would be for routers, sanders Etc.

what weight cord for these type of tools, 10/4, 14/3, Etc?

[Maurice Mcmurry]

My favorite is an unbranded red cord promoted by and bearing the name of one of our local lumber yards. Its 12 gauge with the same feel and features as flexzilla, springy and soft, resists kinks, twisty-ness, and memory, stays soft when cold and is tough. I keep meaning to ask the yard the brand. It is a doppelgänger for Flexzillz except for the color. It is 10 -15 years old.

[Lloyd McKinlay]

I've been happy with these nice 12 gauge cords from one of our favorite retailers. https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/home/electronics/power-cords-and-bars/76078-15-foot-heavy-duty-12-gauge-extension-cord?item=99W7546

[Phillip Mitchell]

I've been happy with these nice 12 gauge cords from one of our favorite retailers. https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/home/electronics/power-cords-and-bars/76078-15-foot-heavy-duty-12-gauge-extension-cord?item=99W7546

I have a few of those as well and really like them. My shop is small so 15’ is typically plenty for handheld power tools, etc.

[Warren Lake]

my neighbour burned out her electric mower going too far on undersize cords. After id put the four cords together and she could plug in from there. Yes these are heavy. Never had one tangle or be a pain and they dont care about the cold. ILl try and few of the lee ones as well wasnt aware of them.

[glenn bradley]

I pick up whatever is reasonably priced. Costco had some 12ga cords for a good price recently. I have also picked up Harbor Freight cords and added my own ends to them. These "cords" have been in use for nearly 20 years without issue. Poor quality cords can be dangerous but, a reasonable quality cord with a good quality end can provide years of safe service.

[Cameron Wood]

I have used these for years, including pretty severe job site conditions. They behave pretty well and stay flexible.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-25-ft-14-3-Heavy-Duty-Contractor-Grade-Indoor-Outdoor-Extension-Cord-Orange-and-Gray-HD-214-057/202522926

No point in using #12 extension cords in the shop for portable tools, which will draw probably 4-8 amps.

Dan Friedrichs' option looks good, particularly for replacing tool cords with longer ones, which I do a lot. I'm going to order some.

[Jim Becker]

Joe, make up your own from the heavy rubber coated cable you can buy by the foot and use quality connectors. You can't beat them. That said, if you can also grab an "on sale" 10 or 12 gage 50' extension cord at the borg, cut it up and put new connectors on of the type you need to make up multiple extension cords. I've done that multiple times to serve a custom need with no issue. Just be careful stripping the cover so you don't nick a conductor.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

The best wire I've found comes off a reel and is sold by the foot. You probably have the stuff to make up the rest of it lying around. :D

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[Maurice Mcmurry]

2nd favorite is a homemade 30 footer, 12 gauge, genuine rubber cord, with twin two gangs on the female end. Unfortunately genuine rubber cord only lasts 30-40 years.

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[David Buchhauser]

I buy lots of the orange colored extension cords from Lowe's. Any were from 15 ft. to 50 ft. They're inexpensive and come in handy. I have also made up more heavy duty cords from SO cord.

David

[Bill Dufour]

#14 is fine for 15 amps, so hand held tools, lights etc. Fine for your short cords with vac and routers.
#12 for 20amps
#10 is 30 amps.
BilLL D

[John Ziebron]

I wired a ceiling outlet and mounted a 35 foot reel cord up there that has a triple outlet on the end. The reel is mounted in between my 4 x 8 assembly table, my woodworking bench and my TB outfeed table but will reach almost anywhere in the shop. This way I don't have to worry about a cord dragging on my cement floor or me tripping on it. You can adjust how far it hangs down when not being used which should be just above your head.:D

[Cameron Wood]

Cords, you say?


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[Steven Cooper2]

Coming from theater, lots of soow or sjoow. Mostly 12 awg but some 14.

It's great and the smell of new cable is heavenly.

All just made from bare cord. Coleman, southwire etc...

[Rich Engelhardt]

yeah I don't need heavy duty, these would be for routers, sanders Etc.

what weight cord for these type of tools, 10/4, 14/3, Etc?Check the amperage on the tools. If the amps are 12 or above, then I use 12 ga.
Under nearly all circumstances, I try very hard not to exceed 25 feet.

[Jack Frederick]

Extension cords are maddening when too long…or too short. Per Jim’s suggestion, I use the SJ cord by the foot and make up cords. My 50’ers are all rolled up and out of the way. 6, 10, 12 and 15’ are now my most used now in the smaller place.

[Curt Harms]

.............
That said, if you can also grab an "on sale" 10 or 12 gage 50' extension cord at the borg, cut it up and put new connectors on of the type you need to make up multiple extension cords. I've done that multiple times to serve a custom need with no issue. Just be careful stripping the cover so you don't nick a conductor.

You have to do the math but yup, often times in the past at least, a 50 foot extension cord wasn't much more money than a 25 footer. Male and female plugs and you have 2 25 footers. My experience is that extension cords are nearly all stranded wire so I try to get ends that are stranded wire friendly, they use a clamp rather than a screw to hold the wire.

[Bill Howatt]

I have #12, 14, 16 cords in various lengths. I mark the wire size on each end of each cord for easy identification - not always easy to see what is embossed on the cord itself, if anything.

[Josh Molaver]

Hope ok to share this here, it's topical:

25 foot Coleman 12/3 extension cord with triple outlets (https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-Multi-Outlet-Extension-Lighted/dp/B000VYD9IA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YS3V9WL137FG&keywords=B000VYD9IA&qid=1687790453&s=hi&sprefix=b000vyd9ia%2Ctools%2C89&sr=1-1), $19 (Amazon). Seems like a great deal if you need another one.

[Jim Becker]

I have #12, 14, 16 cords in various lengths. I mark the wire size on each end of each cord for easy identification - not always easy to see what is embossed on the cord itself, if anything.

I decided to keep things simple...any 120v extension cord I use in the shop for general utility is 12 gage and that will cover any use I'd throw at it. Anything smaller out there is "up in the rafters" extending a light fixture to an outlet or similar. Any "permanent" extension I use for a 240v machine is 10 gage which matches the machine circuits.

-------
Josh, that's a very typical "budget" cord that I've used to provide the material to make up shorter ones.

[John Downey]

I like rubber cord with plugs I put on. I don't like PVC cords, too stiff, too easily sun damaged.

I use 14 awg for general use but also have a couple 12 awg cords around. 10 awg is overkill unless you are going 150' or something.

[Pat Germain]

Joe, make up your own from the heavy rubber coated cable you can buy by the foot and use quality connectors. You can't beat them. That said, if you can also grab an "on sale" 10 or 12 gage 50' extension cord at the borg, cut it up and put new connectors on of the type you need to make up multiple extension cords. I've done that multiple times to serve a custom need with no issue. Just be careful stripping the cover so you don't nick a conductor.

Whenever I have looked at electrical cable sold by the foot, it was ridiculously expensive; like buying dinner a la carte at a fancy restaurant. I agree about buying heavy duty extension cords, cutting off the ends and attaching my own connectors. It works really well.

[Patty Hann]

Saw this listing on Amazon. I read the questions and am posting one in particular.
Obviously not everyone who answered got the joke. :rolleyes:

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[Richard Coers]

I use as cheap as possible. I have yet to wear out a cheap cord over the 5+ decades of home ownership. I've damaged a few, but never wore one out. I don't leave them sitting in the sun, so UV resistance is not an issue for me.

[John Ziebron]

Saw this listing on Amazon. I read the questions and am posting one in particular.
Obviously not everyone who answered got the joke. :rolleyes:

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That's funny Patty. I would never have thought to look at any questions for something simple like an extension cord. This could go in the Levity thread as well.

[Patty Hann]

That's funny Patty. I would never have thought to look at any questions for something simple like an extension cord. This could go in the Levity thread as well.

Did you notice the first answer was not just another customer (such as moi) ...it was from the seller. Too funny. :D

[Jim Becker]

Whenever I have looked at electrical cable sold by the foot, it was ridiculously expensive; like buying dinner a la carte at a fancy restaurant. I agree about buying heavy duty extension cords, cutting off the ends and attaching my own connectors. It works really well.
Yes, the "rubber" stuff by the foot is pricy, but it's honestly the best choice for major machines, IMHO. But for general 120v utility, doing like I mentioned and getting a "loss leader" 50' colored extension cord (yellow 20 amp 12 gage or orange 30 amp 10 gage) and cutting it up to make multiple extension cords can be reasonably cost effective. The shorter, 12 gage or 10 gage extension cords in stores can be pretty pricey a la carté in stores, too.

[J. Ed taylor]

For flexibility I try to find 2 wire cords for 2 prong tools.

[Greg Parrish]

The OP probably already bought something by now, but the best deal going that I’ve seen is at Costco. They typically have a two pack of 12ga 25’ cords for around $35 range. The wire inside the cord is nice and easy to convert to 220v by changing plugs also. They are yellow and have been great quality for the price. Most stores charge that much for a single 12ga cord these days.