I make heavy-duty extension cords by pulling 14-ga. grounded tool wire through lengths of worn-out 5/8-in. rubber hose that would ordinarily be discarded. I pull the wire through using a fish tape and cut it to be about 3 in. longer than the hose to allow easy connection of the plug and the socket (see drawing). Once they’re connected, I wrap the ends with waterproof tape.
Electrical accessories deserve special attention. Here are some safety precautions to follow in assembling this kind of extension cord. Make sure that hose sections are completely dry inside before you pull the wire through, and use only highquality grounded wire of the correct gauge and equally high-quality plugs and sockets. Never submerge the cord and be sure to disassemble the sections periodically to check the condition of the wire for cuts or other signs of wear.
Scott N. Ayres, Bloomfield, NJ
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