DIY quality extension cords?

Patryk_Rebisz

Patryk_Rebisz

Veteran
Is there a way to avoid high price for quality extension cords (12/3 cable). It seems they go for $70 for 50ft. Any suggestions?
 
Not really. Just the raw 12/3 cable is over $1/foot (retail) for SJO. Add two connectors to it and it easily approaches $70.
 
David W. Jones said:
My two options... Look for good deals on remnant wire on eBay, and good deals on the connectors. Or buy used on eBay.
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I lucked out and found a place on eBay that sells industrial tools in close out lots and I got 10 25 foot 12/3 extension cords for $19.99 a piece, in June of 2010. I kick myself for not buying more as I can't find anything near that price now.

I personally would not go the DIY route for them, but to each their own. You always seem like a reasonable fellow Patryk, so I don't think you would do something that would burn down the house. For me, I am not the "Buildy" type and DIY is a last resort. I am getting some better at being "Buildy", but electricity puts the fear of a higher divine being in my butt, ya know...


The place I got my extension cords from was this place. http://stores.ebay.com/milspecdirect
 
I remember when you bought them. I went there after the fact but they were all sold out.

I have a few 12-3 sj stingers, but I have been buying heavier 12-3 soow stingers off eBay. You just have to keep an eye out for deals.
 
If you need a number of them, enough to justify buying a full 250' roll of cord, you can save a few bucks doing it yourself. Might get better prices at an electrical supply house than at retailers. Shop around. Some suggestions below including cheap plugs and hospital grade plugs. I do recommend the HP grade as they will hold up better and don't have external clamps to catch on things. The better plugs are color coded, black screw, white screw, green screw, to match the cable.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_244476-295-...3136511&Ntt=sjoow&pl=1&currentURL=&facetInfo=

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
http://www.lowes.com/pd_89198-334-5266NHG_4294722553__?productId=3568990&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1
http://www.lowes.com/pd_89198-334-5269NHG_4294722553__?productId=3568992&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
 
David W. Jones said:
That was it. I think was the only one bidding so I lucked out.
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Ahh, good deal.


BTW, I think my attitude about DIY has changed. I spent the day putting together some DIY PVC pipe frames, 4'X4', 2'X3' and 3'X3' open ended and they turned out well. Now I feel like Bob Villa!!! Shoot, I may make a beer run and remodel the bathroom!...

...Ok, maybe not, (Well, not the bathroom part anyway).
 
My other thought... Pawn shops! With the economy in bad shape, out of work carpenters and construction workers pawn their power tools and extension cords. Might be worth checking.
 
I was in a rush and I bought the 20A plugs and sockets from Home Depot. Very pricey at $10-17 each. I don't want to do that again (and I would recommend others be aware how expensive it can be). A 50' 20amp stinger was a bit over $50 here. The 100 footer was close to $120 though because they use 10/3 stranded wire.
 
Tom Wills said:
If you're okay with it being plastic instead of rubber (SJTW instead of SOOW), you can get black 12/3 50 foot stingers from Monoprice. $35, and the pricing goes down as you order more of them. I haven't owned any for long enough to talk about durability, but they have held up in the times I've used them.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=1022802&p_id=5305&seq=1&format=2#description
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Thanks for the link. That is good price for a 50' 12/3 cord. I even like the price on the 100' one.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022802&p_id=5306&seq=1&format=2
 
SJ is fine for most applications, but if you are going to be running any power on a stage you need S according to code. I have gradually been adding 12-3 SOOW cables when I get a good deal.
 
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