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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Rick Bollinger on December 27, 2016, 12:40:40 PM

Title: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Rick Bollinger on December 27, 2016, 12:40:40 PM

I was covering my Caprice wing and had my heat gun on the bench along with my extension cord. I was moving the wing around when the leadouts found there way between the plug and extension cord and blam no lights. Luckily the damage was far enough down that I do not have to tear into the wing to replace the leadouts. I am usually pretty careful about what's going on around me but this escaped me.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Steve Helmick on December 27, 2016, 01:34:55 PM

Yikes! Looks like you got off lucky on this one...  y1 Steve

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Tim Wescott on December 27, 2016, 01:49:27 PM

Plugs in other countries solve that, but we standardized on ours too early.  Oh well.  I haven't had that happen -- I do have a power strip on the wall with my music wire storage above it, but I put a guard on the thing so that falling conductive stuff can't get into the danger zone.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Steve Helmick on December 27, 2016, 02:03:40 PM

My one power strip is screwed to the top of my "power tool" workbench, but on the far side from the drillpress. If I put one over the building bench, it'll be up under the shelf screwed to the windowsill, so it'll be protected, like Tim's.

Can't really tell how far along the model is, but most guys I know either tuck the LO's into the wingtip or cover them with masking tape. I'm not sure that's adequate insulation, but Tim can try it and report back!  ~> Steve

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: wwwarbird on December 27, 2016, 06:13:11 PM

 I have a power strip mounted on the front of one of my workbenches, all cords hang to the floor...

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: tom creasey on December 27, 2016, 10:15:47 PM

Thanks for head up and thank you for posting.....Will be more aware around my work area.....Glad you never got hurt

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Jim Roselle on December 28, 2016, 04:23:50 AM

A friend of mine had the same thing happen with a necklace she was wearing. Now she has a nice chain pattern branded into the back of her neck.

Jim

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: goozgog on December 28, 2016, 04:34:47 AM

I had exactly the same thing happen.

The lead outs found the power bar
that is screwed to the wall next to the
bench.

It was a learning experience!

Now, I unplug everything every time.

Cheers! - K.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Paul Smith on December 28, 2016, 05:53:51 AM

The real hazard is the HEAT GUN. 
Even when shut off and unplugged it has enough residual heat start a fire. 
I almost burned down my barn last year with a hot UNPLUGGED heat gun. 

Mine ignited a cardboard box.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Keith Miller on December 28, 2016, 07:01:26 AM

Thanks for posting! Great tip!

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: john e. holliday on December 28, 2016, 10:56:08 AM

I try to make sure the extension cord is on the floor as the outlet is by the door.  Also I have learned to unplug every thing because I was getting ready to call it quits one night when I heard a noise.  It was a dremel type grinding tool I had been using and laid on the floor.  Some how there was a short in it and it was running.  I unplugged it and the smoke started.  Grabbed the cord and out the door it went.  That tool is now on the dump.   The hot air gun I use does stay hot, but the switch has a position that keeps the fan going with no heat.  When I can hold the nozzle with my hands and feel no heat I finish turning the switch off.  I also have a hook to hang it from with nothing touching the gun if I'm in a hurry.  I don't even like leaving chargers plugged when not in the shop.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: RC Storick on December 29, 2016, 12:58:02 PM

Quote from: wwwarbird on December 27, 2016, 06:13:11 PM

I have a power strip mounted on the front of one of my workbenches, all cords hang to the floor...

I want to know how you and many others keep their shop so clean.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Steve Helmick on December 29, 2016, 01:25:27 PM

I always set my heat gun on the drillpress vise, which is on the drillpress' work table. When I'm charging glow ignitors, they're sitting there in the drillpress vise...which is still on the drillpress' work table. Close to the power strip, and nuthin' to burn there.  D>K Steve

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: dave siegler on December 29, 2016, 02:06:14 PM

I have 2 large outlet strips screwed the ceiling my basement work shop. 

Easy to see what is plugged in and hot. 

I keep my heat gun, solder station and all that on a metal surface, or set the gun on the floor (concrete) when done.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on December 29, 2016, 03:23:49 PM

The power cords on my portable tools sort of hang down to the floor, where I can step on them and wreck the plug.


 But that's another story.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Steve Thompson on December 29, 2016, 04:44:24 PM

Sweepers, sweepers, man your brooms
Give the shop a clean sweep fore and aft
Sweep all lower decks, passageways and ladder backs
Sweepers

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: Rick Bollinger on December 29, 2016, 05:06:50 PM

That extension cord is a retractable one hanging from the ceiling. It was draped down on my island bench. The other cabinet benches have 14ga stainless tops on most of them. That's where I do most of my soldering and hot work. Sparky my shop is a constant mess. It takes hours to days to clean it and only a profile 1/2a project to completely destroy it n~.

Title: Re: Beware of extension cords on the bench
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on December 30, 2016, 01:35:12 PM

I guess I'll have to clean this place up...one of these days/

Floyd