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Thread: Plastic thingy on small power tool cords

  1. #1

    Plastic thingy on small power tool cords

    Can someone tell me what the plastic thingy(technical term) on some of my hand held power tools is? It's about 2 inches long, 3/4" circumference, and slides along the cord. My Bosch jigsaw, Bosch router, and Makita sander all have it. Just can't figure out what it is?
    Thanks,
    Steve
    Last edited by Steve Speiser; 03-06-2011 at 2:28 PM. Reason: speeeeling errrror

  2. #2
    its an anti theft tag so you cant steal the tools from the store.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Speiser View Post
    Can someone tell me what the plastic thingy(technical term) on some of my hand held power tools is? It's about 2 inches long, 3/4" circumference, and slides along the cord. My Bosch jigsaw, Bosch router, and Makita sander all have it. Just can't figure out what it is?
    Thanks,
    Steve
    Steve, it is a ferrite core noise suppressor. It keeps the noise of the tool's electric motor from being reflected back onto the supply grid. BTW they work in both directions so you will also find them on sound and video amplifiers, TV's etc to keep noise out of the amp or TV. Even if you don't see one on the electronic device chances are good that there is one built into the inside of it especially if it is a home entertainment component. If you are having trouble with noise in an entertainment component you can buy one (a couple of bucks - check here http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...TOKEN=17431217 ) and put it on the power cord.
    Last edited by James Combs; 03-06-2011 at 2:42 PM. Reason: Added link to suppressor.
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  4. #4
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    Zach hit it, they're RFID tags for warehouse tracking and anti theft scanners. Pry them off and chuck them in the trash.

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    Quote Originally Posted by John Lanciani View Post
    Zach hit it, they're RFID tags for warehouse tracking and anti theft scanners. Pry them off and chuck them in the trash.
    At least add a smiley when making posts like this, before someone believes you and goes to their shop and rips the ferrite core off of the power cord.
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    It is a noise suppressor and not a anti theft device.

  7. #7
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    Ah-ha

    Another one of the worlds mysteries solved.

    So if I pry them off my tools and get about twenty of them on my shop stereo power cord, it won't bother it when I switch on my 50hp phase converter?

    I Like It!

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Speiser View Post
    Can someone tell me what the plastic thingy(technical term) on some of my hand held power tools is?
    plastic thingy at the end of the cord?? If it came from HF.....wait for it..... it's the tool itself!

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Larry Edgerton View Post
    So if I pry them off my tools and get about twenty of them on my shop stereo power cord, it won't bother it when I switch on my 50hp phase converter?
    You'll get even better performance if you slide a few over the stereo's antenna
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  10. #10
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    It is in fact an RFID device. If it was a ferrite core, the entire cord would be wrapped around it, and make a knob 2" in diameter on your cord.
    You can remove it.
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  11. #11
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    It's two, two things in one!

    Well, I for one, am not making any moves until this is resolved.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Zellers View Post
    Well, I for one, am not making any moves until this is resolved.
    I took one off my Ridgid sander. It was empty plastic.
    Took another one off a corded drill. Empty plastic.
    Resolved.
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  13. #13
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    If it was empty plastic, where's the RFID?

    Are you saying it's a third option???

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Hintz View Post
    At least add a smiley when making posts like this, before someone believes you and goes to their shop and rips the ferrite core off of the power cord.
    er...too late....

  15. #15
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    No No No you all have it wrong... it's actually a tracking device/timer/disabler that enables the manufacturer to monitor your device. Once you have reached the point where the warranty is no longer valid, they send a signal that causes the device to go kaput.
    Then they'll be happy to repair it for a "nominal" charge. Or maybe not...

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