Managing CT power cord when wheeling it around?

[Deke]

We moved to a new house and the new basement shop is great. One problem though. Unlike my old small cramped shop, in this one I need to move my CT about 8 feet from the wall to vac the entire place (I try to keep a clean shop). However, when doing so, the power cord drags on the floor and when I roll it back, I bump over the cord, have to drag it back... and it is kind of a pain. The new shop is actually a finished basement, so I am hesitant to drill or hang hooks here and there in what I'm sure will be a trial and error approach to the right solution. Sorry if this seems incredibly dumb, but if anyone has a clever solution to this (sort of a retractable power cord!), please let me know (or even see) what you did.

Oh, I do have a Workcenter on it too. Seems I could use that to help perhaps?

P.S. My CT is truly one of my favorite tools of all. I love the heck out of this thing. Weird that a vac would rank so high, but I use it every single time for something.

 

[morts10n]

I have the same issue all the time too! Frustrating to be constantly running over the cord. Sometimes I loop the cord up high near the handle so at least the first few feet are away from the wheels.
Cheers

 

[Deke]

I have the same issue all the time too! Frustrating to be constantly running over the cord. Sometimes I loop the cord up high near the handle so at least the first few feet are away from the wheels.
Cheers

Glad to know I am not alone! I just went down and did have better results wrapping it up on the WOrkcenter (thereby loosing a hook I used for tools), but like you I still have to wrap it up and back...

I  had something of a "duh" moment. I might just get a hose extension. 8 feet more of hose and my problem is solved. I use the large grey non-antistatic hose mostly for shop cleaning, but then I would have even more hose to hang and it is already a lot. They don't seem to offer any kind of "extension" though. Does this meet the criteria of a "first world problem"?  [smile]

Okay, found a video where you can adapt and extend a 27mm hose, but this requires a connector sleeve. Alas, they do not make this connector for 50mm or other hoses (at least not on Bob Marino's site and he seems to have everything under the sun). 

 

[nclemmons]

I have the cord wrap on the back, but I actually use an extension cord similar to this -
https://www.amazon.com/Flexy-Heavy-...F8&qid=1504984469&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=heavy+duty+extension+cord+auto+coiled

I found one at big box store I think for around $20 for a 25 foot version.

 

[Scott B.]

I'd recommend parking the rig in the center of the space, with the break off. Vacuum from the center out in all directions, then do the center last.

Or, a hose extension. But that might be more work to manage than figuring out the cord.

 

[Gregor]

Alas, they do not make this connector for 50mm or other hoses (at least not on Bob Marino's site and he seems to have everything under the sun).

Festool has a connector for the 50mm connectors, it's included in the #499196 (the black thing, available seperate but I don't have the # at hand and the set was 5€ more than the single connector).

 

[rst]

I use three 50mm hoses for my home shop and deck and two at my business shop.  I buy connectors from Oneida AXD225225 2.5" Plastic Vacuum Hose Coupler Fitting.

 

[Deke]

Thanks everyone for all the advice, tips and links. I really appreciate it.

I do have my vac in the center of the shop, but it is an odd shaped basement and the problem arises when I go to the section with my drill press, planer and miter saw. Like I said, this is a "first world problem." Now I am torn. The coiled power cable looks really cool, but now that I know I can get adapters for the 50mm (thanks!) I think I will go that route plus set up some kind of wall mounted hangers to stow my attachments and hoses for both power tool connections (27mm) and general vacuuming (50mm).

 

[Bob D.]

what is the ceiling? sheetrock, drop ceiling tiles, or something else?

If tis a drop ceiling in the normal 2x2 or 2x4 grid pattern you could get some of those plant hangers that clip onto the rails and have a hook for hanging plants from. they will support about 5 pounds each easily. you could use those to free-air your power cord to the center of the room, or the hose for that matter, and have it drop down over a workbench or MFT or what have you. They are available at most hardware stores and home centers, probably Walmart too but I have never looked for them there. Usually 4 to a pack for less than $3, you can't go wrong at that price. Each hook is a two piece assembly that lets you slip each half over the track. when you bring them together you have a hook which is locked on the track but can be slid around to where you need it.

 

[Deke]

what is the ceiling? sheetrock, drop ceiling tiles, or something else?

If tis a drop ceiling in the normal 2x2 or 2x4 grid pattern you could get some of those plant hangers that clip onto the rails and have a hook for hanging plants from. they will support about 5 pounds each easily. you could use those to free-air your power cord to the center of the room, or the hose for that matter, and have it drop down over a workbench or MFT or what have you. They are available at most hardware stores and home centers, probably Walmart too but I have never looked for them there. Usually 4 to a pack for less than $3, you can't go wrong at that price. Each hook is a two piece assembly that lets you slip each half over the track. when you bring them together you have a hook which is locked on the track but can be slid around to where you need it.

FYI, I bought some of these and they are great. Not using them for the hose (yet), but you changed my life man!

 

[ben_r_]

I use a ceiling mounted, retractable power cord: LINK

 

[Deke]

I use a ceiling mounted, retractable power cord: LINK

Oh man, now that is cool. I have pretty much an Amazon shipment per day, so why not this? Thanks!

 

[Michael Kellough]

We moved to a new house and the new basement shop is great. One problem though. Unlike my old small cramped shop, in this one I need to move my CT about 8 feet from the wall to vac the entire place (I try to keep a clean shop). However, when doing so, the power cord drags on the floor and when I roll it back, I bump over the cord, have to drag it back... and it is kind of a pain. The new shop is actually a finished basement, so I am hesitant to drill or hang hooks here and there in what I'm sure will be a trial and error approach to the right solution. Sorry if this seems incredibly dumb, but if anyone has a clever solution to this (sort of a retractable power cord!), please let me know (or even see) what you did.

Oh, I do have a Workcenter on it too. Seems I could use that to help perhaps?

P.S. My CT is truly one of my favorite tools of all. I love the heck out of this thing. Weird that a vac would rank so high, but I use it every single time for something.

That bugged the heck out of me too so I made a Kord Kicker to sweep the cord instead of run over it. Just need to add something behind the wheels that is closer to the floor than 1/2 the diameter of the cord.

I posted some pictures at Talk Festool, post #74 in this thread.

 

[ben_r_]

I use a ceiling mounted, retractable power cord: LINK

Oh man, now that is cool. I have pretty much an Amazon shipment per day, so why not this? Thanks!

Yep, and from my research that particular model is very high quality and the best bang for the buck. Though I did switch the plug out for a better quality one as there were more than a few reviewers that said the male connector was no good but the rest of the unit was great.