Every Workshop Needs a Retractable Extension Cord
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Bring Universal Power to Your Shop
With a retractable extension cord in the shop, there's no more searching for the extension cord, no more tripping over cords on the flooring, and no more constantly angle over to plug in whatever y'all need. Merely stay away from wimpy xvi- to xviii-approximate corded models. They don't carry enough electric current for many tools. The Husky xiv-3, 50-ft. model ($70 at Habitation Depot) works great, but any fourteen-iii model with a xiii-amp rating will do fine. But as you know, the more you spend…
The ReelWorks Extension Cord is the best heavy duty retractable cord out there. Click here for information technology on Amazon.
Best Way to Use a Retractable Extension Cord
Discover the Best Location
For the about office, placing one of these systems directly above your workbench is the best place to mountain the extension cord. Simply yous may be different. Y'all might observe that it is better to place information technology in a spot where the string can attain outside. At my garage workshop, I demand my retractable extension string to power my vacuum while cleaning the automobile as well as power all my workbench tools so I placed mine on the wall next to my garage door. I tin can yet reach information technology a few steps away while continuing at my bench while also bringing the cord halfway down my driveway.
Consider the Features
Most extension cords are standardized by gauges. The lower the gauge (12, fourteen, 16) the more heavy duty they are. If you think that the extension string volition get run over by casters and heavy equipment or that information technology will exist used outside, you will want to go for the lower guess. Another feature is the amount of plugs the cord has. Most have three plugs, which is perfect. But others come with a single plug and may not be the best for your situation so consider the options.
Check out our other favorite efficient workshop tools here:
Cordless Jigsaws: Are 12 Volts Enough?
The tool shelf at the Family Handyman workshop holds both 12-volt and 18-volt jigsaws. To our surprise, we generally, prefer the 12-volt models. They're lighter, easier to handle and accept enough of ability for cut hardwoods or one-1/2-in.-thick fabric. This Bosch 12V Max Barrel-Grip jigsaw is our current favorite because it's especially meaty, comfy and smooth-running. Become information technology on Amazon. Woodworking is a boom, but it tin can be intimidating for beginners. So check out these 56 brilliant woodworking tips for beginners.
Quick-Switch Bits
I never noticed the time I wasted changing out drill bits until I discovered hex shank bits. Whether I'm drilling 1/eight-in. pilot holes or hogging out a 1/2-in. peg hole, the bit shank is the same size. And so I just accept to open the chuck slightly to bandy out the bit. If I'm using an touch on commuter, the swap is even quicker! Several companies offer hex shank sets; mine is an eighteen-piece Milwaukee fix. — April Wilkerson, Contributing Editor for Family Handyman Go information technology on Amazon.
Boom Clogs Abroad
This Drain Male monarch drain cleaner from GT H2o Products is my get-to tool for removing tough clogs. When drains in basements, bathrooms or kitchens terminate up and homeowners tin can't plunge the clog out, I claw this tool up to a garden hose, feed it into the drain and turn on the faucet. Here'south how it works: The bladder swells and wedges itself in the pipe, and its patented dispersing valve vibrates the pipe while shooting jets of water to dislodge the clog safely, without chemicals. — John Wood, Plumber for ProMech Available in several sizes, on Amazon.
Every Final Glob
Remember the toy that had y'all fit square pegs in the square holes and triangular pegs in the triangular holes? Taping knives are straight; buckets of joint compound are round—a toddler could figure out that there's a ameliorate tool for scooping out mud. Enter the bucket scoop: Its curved blade is shaped to match the saucepan, so you tin scoop out every last glob. Become information technology on Amazon.
Notes that Weather condition the Tempest
How did 3M make the ubiquitous Post-it notes amend? By making them stickier and tougher so anyone tin jot notes on anything in all kinds of weather. Mail service-it Farthermost Notes stick to crude textile and won't bleed ink if they get exposed to moisture. Get it on Amazon. Protect your family unit when the wind starts blowing, the waters first rising, and your business firm goes dark with our tempest survival guide.
Lights, Camera, Catch'em
This Kuna Maximus Camera Floodlight shines bright, rolls the camera and gives you peace of mind while you lot're away. When motion is detected, the light turns on and the built-in camera starts recording. In that location's a two-fashion speaker you can speak through or use to audio an alarm. Through the continued app on your smartphone, you lot can always accept a peek at what's going on while you're abroad—perfect for checking on your latest Amazon delivery or finding out how late your teen really got abode. — Aaron Massey, DIYer at mrfixitdiy.com Go information technology on Amazon. Kuna also makes a more discreet version of this in the course of an outdoor sconce. The video is articulate and the app sends a notification to your telephone (if you want) when the motion sensor is prepare off. Get the sconce on Amazon.
Easy-Read Record
Since getting my hands on a FastCap ProCarpenter tape, I've refused to employ any other tape measure. I dear that information technology shows the fractions downward to i/16 in. correct side up on both sides of the tape, which means I tin can pull the tape from the left or the right and non have to read numbers upside downwards. It has an erasable writing pad, a built-in pencil sharpener and a white blade, which I adopt to yellow. — Tamar Hannah, Woodworker from 3x3custom.com Get it on Amazon.
Multi-Utility Knife
Fiskars has a corking new knife designed for hanging drywall. The Pro Drywaller's Utility Pocketknife does double duty every bit a retractable utility knife and a switchblade-manner jab saw. It's a bit pricy for weekend warriors, but if you practice lots of drywall work, it volition exist well worth the money. Get it on Amazon.
Foldable, Rollable, Shapeable Sandpaper
Folding a piece of sandpaper unremarkably means shortening its life span. Non so with these 3M Ultra Flexible Sanding Sheets. They're super tough and take a bit of stretch, so they won't tear most as easily as their paper counterparts. Only wrap a sheet around a block, dowel or other profile to friction match your needs, so become to town. The sheets are great for moisture sanding. If your sheet gets clogged, simply rinse it off or cockle it upward to release the dust. Become it on Amazon.
Time-Saving Brush and Roller Covers
With a Paint Poncho, your paintbrush can stay fresh and reusable without cleaning between painting sessions. I know because I recently used ane with the same brush and color for iii straight weeks at my house with no bristle drying at all. Get it on Amazon. Cheque out the best-kept secrets of professional painters.
Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/retractable-extension-cord/
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