Comments on: Reader Find: The Yellow Jacket Extension Cord/Cord Reel http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:42:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Emery http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14912 Emery Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:29:03 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14912 I believe the coiling method that Nate was refering to is the "Over Under Method"...As detailed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over/under_cable_coiling I believe the coiling method that Nate was refering to is the “Over Under Method”…As detailed here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over/under_cable_coiling

]]> By: Rob http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14826 Rob Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:57:50 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14826 I have a decent system for keeping my extension cords in line. I don't do anything fancy, I just coil them up. The key is to not let the ends get mixed into the coils. As long as you keep the tails long, the coil won't tangle. Then I use a small loop of rope to keep the coil together and hang it. The loop is like one of those coil keepers you can buy that have the handle except it's just a small loop of rope that costs almost nothing. I have a decent system for keeping my extension cords in line. I don’t do anything fancy, I just coil them up. The key is to not let the ends get mixed into the coils. As long as you keep the tails long, the coil won’t tangle. Then I use a small loop of rope to keep the coil together and hang it. The loop is like one of those coil keepers you can buy that have the handle except it’s just a small loop of rope that costs almost nothing.

]]> By: Michael http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14803 Michael Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:42:59 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14803 I own several of these. Another nice feature is the lighted plugs. Much easier on the jobsite to see whether or not you still have power. I use mine in connection with an older metal reel I found. The reel originally came with 4 outlets. I rewired it with GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) plugs. I prefer reels to tying cords as I feel it's neater to store on my truck, but it's just a preference. I own several of these. Another nice feature is the lighted plugs. Much easier on the jobsite to see whether or not you still have power. I use mine in connection with an older metal reel I found. The reel originally came with 4 outlets. I rewired it with GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) plugs. I prefer reels to tying cords as I feel it’s neater to store on my truck, but it’s just a preference.

]]> By: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14646 Nate Bezanson Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:37:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14646 A narrow gauge cord which burns off a lot of energy as heat will result in the tool seeing reduced voltage when it's running. That means that, to generate the same torque, it has to pull more amps. That heats up the motor windings more, and is harder on the brushes or commutator parts, and definitely does cause wear. That's also the same reason you're supposed to unplug your appliances during a power failure, so that if the power comes back into a brownout condition, your fridge and freezer compressors don't burn themselves out trying to start up on reduced voltage. A narrow gauge cord which burns off a lot of energy as heat will result in the tool seeing reduced voltage when it’s running. That means that, to generate the same torque, it has to pull more amps. That heats up the motor windings more, and is harder on the brushes or commutator parts, and definitely does cause wear.

That’s also the same reason you’re supposed to unplug your appliances during a power failure, so that if the power comes back into a brownout condition, your fridge and freezer compressors don’t burn themselves out trying to start up on reduced voltage.

]]> By: bbot http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14641 bbot Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:12:56 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14641 A narrow gauge cord isn't good for high-amp tools because the cord heats up and will eventually burst into flame. A cheap cord will do nothing to the tool itself. There is no "wear and tear" caused by a cheap cord. A narrow gauge cord isn’t good for high-amp tools because the cord heats up and will eventually burst into flame. A cheap cord will do nothing to the tool itself. There is no “wear and tear” caused by a cheap cord.

]]> By: Douglas Kwan http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14631 Douglas Kwan Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:44:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14631 the knot is called a sinnet chain http://www.animatedknots.com/chainsinnet/index.php?LogoImage=Logo&Website= the knot is called a sinnet chain http://www.animatedknots.com/chainsinnet/index.php?LogoImage=Logo&Website=

]]> By: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14629 Nate Bezanson Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:27:59 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/18/reader-find-the-yellow-jacket-extension-cordcord-reel/#comment-14629 With lighter-gauge cords it's even more important, but if you're pulling any significant amperage through a cord, be sure to unwind it all, or at least feel the reel every once in a while to see if it's heating up. All cords have some amount of resistance, and a certain fraction of the energy you move through them will be wasted as heat in the process. That's normally not a problem, as they dump it to the atmosphere quite readily. But when you have a few dozen turns of cord on a reel, there's not as much surface area and things can get warm in a hurry. Also, in lieu of reels, there's a specific way of tying a cord in successive overhand slipknots so that it doesn't tangle, and it'll give up more cord if you simply pull on the protruding ends. I don't know the name for the technique, but I've seen it used by audio crew and workmen alike. Essentially, you start by folding the cord in half, then start tying not-quite-knots with the folded end. Anyone know what this is called, or have a link to an explanation of the technique? With lighter-gauge cords it’s even more important, but if you’re pulling any significant amperage through a cord, be sure to unwind it all, or at least feel the reel every once in a while to see if it’s heating up.

All cords have some amount of resistance, and a certain fraction of the energy you move through them will be wasted as heat in the process. That’s normally not a problem, as they dump it to the atmosphere quite readily. But when you have a few dozen turns of cord on a reel, there’s not as much surface area and things can get warm in a hurry.

Also, in lieu of reels, there’s a specific way of tying a cord in successive overhand slipknots so that it doesn’t tangle, and it’ll give up more cord if you simply pull on the protruding ends. I don’t know the name for the technique, but I’ve seen it used by audio crew and workmen alike. Essentially, you start by folding the cord in half, then start tying not-quite-knots with the folded end. Anyone know what this is called, or have a link to an explanation of the technique?

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