View Poll Results: What do you do with power cords when using dangerous power tools

Voters
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  • Power cord placed over the shoulder

    10 38.46%
  • Power cord left naturally outta the way

    13 50.00%
  • Other

    3 11.54%
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Lost in Space
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    54
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    0

    Default What do you do with power tool cords

    Recently I bought a circular saw. It was my first 'real power tool' purchase (Hitachi 9C). The 9C is a bit of a BEasT and I must admit I was a bit intimidated
    and worried about getting it right safely and trouble free (Don't wanna loose my fingures).

    As I flew into giving the 9C her first test run I found myself wondering ggeeeeezzzz what do I do with the power cord. In high school we were taught to place the power cord over your shoulder while using a power tool:

    1. So that you know exactly where the power cord is
    2. To keep the power cord well outta the way of the power tool being used.

    In comparison I have also seen a number of online video's (Mostly American) where they leave the power cord hanging naturally out of the road.

    Am wondering what does everyone generally do with powercords when using power tools like Circular Saws; Routers etc etc. Feedback to help me stay safe really appreciated.

    Regards Lou

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    here
    Posts
    67

    Default

    workshop has over head power points so leads hang out of the way

    if working outside or on site over the shoulder

    Cheers Ian
    Some People are like slinky's,
    They serve no purpose at all,
    but they put a smile on your face when you throw them down the stairs.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Moo, G'day from CASINO NSW the real home of Beef.
    Age
    59
    Posts
    445

    Default

    What you mean there's a safe power tool crikey what is it? where can I buy it? :confused: .......but seriously folks if I'm in the shed overhead power points are the go, outside of the shed over shoulder works fine for me.
    Bruce C.
    catchy catchphrase needed here, apply in writing to the above .

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,026

    Default

    Lou,
    when the saw is being constantly picked up and put down (ie: docking cuts) I generally let the lead dangle. I've usually got the lead coming from behind the saw in this situation. If I'm ripping a board or cutting a sheet of ply etc then I hang the lead over my shoulder.

    Mick
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    .
    Posts
    4,816

    Default

    I went for "other", just to balance things up.


    Al :confused:

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Perth (NOR)
    Age
    79
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Another poll?

    Anyway, when I was at school it was all hand tools. I usually let the cord dangle out of harms way or don't have much of a problem because in my shed I have as many overhead power points as on the wall. 8 double outlets on the wall and 8 doubles on the ceiling including 2 x 15 amp circuits of 1 outlet each. I believe that like clamps, one can never have enough power points.

    Oh, and I didn't vote.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Romsey Victoria
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,102

    Default

    I usually plug them into a powerpoint.
    Photo Gallery

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Kyabram
    Age
    45
    Posts
    171

    Lightbulb

    Pop them in the mouth, Uncle Fester style.

    Although I have heard of the Over the Shoulder Power Cord holder, the idea never really sparked off.

    Besides, power tools are double insulated now days. :eek:

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Perth WA
    Posts
    780

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grunt
    I usually plug them into a powerpoint.
    Bugger, Gazumped by 51 minutes

    Cheers
    Squizzy

    "It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all" {screamed by maths teacher in Year 8}

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Pakenham, outer Melb SE suburb, Vic
    Age
    55
    Posts
    549

    Default

    You & me both Squizz....damn you and your cotton socks Grunt :mad:


    Sean


    The beatings will continue until morale improves.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    64
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Regardless of where the cord is make sure you have an earth leakage circuit breaker either on your main electricity board or a portable plug in one.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Cotswolds, UK/Meilenhofen, D
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    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mat
    Regardless of where the cord is make sure you have an earth leakage circuit breaker either on your main electricity board or a portable plug in one.
    Second that, most important of them all.

    This fact for one:

    Quote Originally Posted by Ben from Vic
    Besides, power tools are double insulated now days. :eek:
    Has more to do with the fact that manufactures can't guarantee the earth connection (them/user) and twin flex is cheaper than three core.

    No earth core protection for operator if you chop the cable.

    Chas.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Kyabram
    Age
    45
    Posts
    171

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by CHJ
    No earth core protection for operator if you chop the cable.

    Chas.
    Bugger.

    I was, of course, joking.

    We have one of those supper fast circuit breakers fitted to the house, I rely on that instead.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Cotswolds, UK/Meilenhofen, D
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ben from Vic.
    Bugger.

    I was, of course, joking.

    We have one of those supper fast circuit breakers fitted to the house, I rely on that instead.
    You would not believe the number of times I have repaired 'chopped' electric mower cables from people who thought "Double Insulated" mower meant they were not at risk out in the garden.

    All new UK installations now have RCB's fitted at incomming main, but of course there are all sorts of protected and unprotected combinations of past installations in the bulk of homes.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Kyabram
    Age
    45
    Posts
    171

    Default

    Truth is I had been told that Double Insulated meant that I was somehow protected if I cut my own cord.

    That didn't make me any less carefull though. :eek:

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