Replies

1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Oct 24, 2006 05:07am | #1

   Masher, to solve a short term set up problem in my new digs I used wired strips with moulded 110 plugs using 12 ga. wire from either lv or rockler on a sale. In my finished shop it will make more sense to use duplex boxes using 10ga. wire, plan it out and save $ and get better facilities.  If you have serious tools don't buy any extension over 25' or less than 12ga. The 25's are easier to manage than the 50's or higher and 12ga. will carry most portable tools*, Pat

   *not your 1 1/2 hp contractors saw at a distance--for that ya need 10 ga. or you will hear the breaker go "CLICK"  pfh

   
   

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   Edited 10/23/2006 10:30 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT

1. 
   user-140952 | Oct 24, 2006 09:03pm | #4

   thanks for the advice.  I'll try it.  (truthfully, the boxes are ugly and when you make the kind of incompetent ugly furniture I do you need a good looking workshop to compensatem.  Kind of like ugly women needing better looking clothes.)

1. 
   dgreen | Oct 24, 2006 10:01pm | #5

   Many of the inexpensive strips are a two piece plastic shell held together with screws. Remove the screws, separate the halves and you can see where the wiring runs. Mark locations on the top to avoid the wiring, reassemble and drill screw holes at your marks. Screw to wall.------------------------------------

    The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer (1891)

2. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 24, 2006 07:48am | #2

   Maybe 20 years ago I bought power strips that had a metal back that you could detach, mount, and then reattach the power strip.

   I tried to buy some a year ago, and they seem to have disappeared from the market.

   Have you tried to Google "power strips"? I would think they must be available someplace.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   user-140952 | Oct 24, 2006 08:59pm | #3

   agreed.  Google has a million power strips but they either are the plastic ones or they are the fancy surge protector, computer friendly, telephone capable lines.

3. 
   polarsea1 | Oct 24, 2006 10:05pm | #6

   Google Plugmold

4. 
   BruceS | Oct 24, 2006 10:08pm | #7

   No power strips for me,  I just simply put in tons of  boxes and  duplex boxes on four seperate circuits around the shop..  And used 20A recepticals.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

5. 
   dwolsten | Oct 24, 2006 10:14pm | #8

   It sounds like you're looking for the lab-grade power strips. I'm staring at a bunch of them all around me as I type this in my lab. They're about 6 feet long, all-metal, and have 12-24 outlets on each. They come in 15, 20, and 30A capacities (the 30A ones have a special twist-lock plug). They have mounting plates which you bolt to your lab bench, and then the outlet strip clips into these plates.

   Mine are made by Tripp-Lite and Wiremold. Try googling for that, perhaps in combination with "rack mount". Many times these strips are used on rack-mount computer systems, where they're bolted to the back of the rack and all the servers are plugged into them. You'll find them at specialty retailers on the net who cater to rack-mount computer buyers.

   Expect to pay $50-100 or more for each strip. They're not cheap.

6. 
   dtraversi | Oct 25, 2006 05:55am | #9

   short term solution to simple problem- buy the cheap ones- use a few zip ties to secure them to a bench leg or exposed conduit- use a few more tie downs to secure the loose cord.

   a week from now when you realize it should be located 3 ft to the right- snip the ties and relocate. someday you'll call the electrician- but for now a $5 plug strip beats all.
   Dave