Power Tool Cord Replacements

[Short Game]

Wow, now we're cookin'! Thanks, everyone.

If OEM cords are that reasonable, that might be the way I'll go. Yes, the cords I make get soldered lugs, cut to proper length for the tool end. I completely trust the clunky plugs, electrically, as I make soldered eyes for the screws to hold. But, they don't fit the three outlet ends of my 100 foot ten gauge power cords, at least three don't fit. When I get to drilling and grinding, three is often not enough for me.

Yes, bad things seem to happen to cords and plugs. I think it's time for this phenomenon to have its own notation in Murphy's Laws.

As for stock short cords , my replacements get longer, hence, why I like larger gauge wire. When I was 21, and without too many clues, I burned up my favorite uncle's go-to Porter Cable circular saw, plugged into a cheap extension. He was a master shipwright and rightfully appalled. If I were Japanese, ritual suicide would have been in order. This is where and how I learned about low voltage and electric motors. And so, I have the zealousness of a convert.

The tools in question are Milwaukee, old Makita, and the like.

The box stores sell generic replacement power cords with nice molded plugs that will satisfy your first requirement. They are in the $10-$15 range for 14 ga.

Next trip to town I'll be checking this out. Do you think Home Depot will have these?

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And then there's this, all my bizzilion Milwaukee 12V batteries are giving up at the same time too. Even the aftermarket replacements represent a small fortune. When I've found sources for the 1.2 volt cells, rebuilding my own looks to be more expensive than buying the aftermarkets and throwing the plastic away.

 

[deereman75]

I find that the cords on my 1930s black and decker industrial tools are much better then the cords on all my new tools (even my new milwaukee drill), and the black and deckers all have the 80 year old cords that came with the tools.

 

[Short Game]

I find that the cords on my 1930s black and decker industrial tools are much better then the cords on all my new tools (even my new milwaukee drill), and the black and deckers all have the 80 year old cords that came with the tools.

Yup.

Here's one that had me pulling out my hair: my favorite 12V Milwaukee drill motor's brushes wore out. Non-replaceable brushes! WTF? I replaced it with two 18V Ridgids (probably made the same way now). I bought two because, on sale, the drill, charger, and two batteries were just a bit more than one large battery pack.

 

[Branchchipper]

Short game-
Avoid the big-box urge; Grover's Electric over in Vancouver (WA) is an outstanding store- try giving them a call about cords.
As for batteries, Interstate (multiple NW locations) has rebuilt Milwaukee 14.4v batts for me right there in the store- don't recall the price, but it was reasonable, and they work well- I know a lot of tradespeople that keep their Milwaukees going by this method.

 

[Short Game]

Short game-
Avoid the big-box urge; Grover's Electric over in Vancouver (WA) is an outstanding store- try giving them a call about cords.
As for batteries, Interstate (multiple NW locations) has rebuilt Milwaukee 14.4v batts for me right there in the store- don't recall the price, but it was reasonable, and they work well- I know a lot of tradespeople that keep their Milwaukees going by this method.

Well timed. I go to the VA clinic in Vancouver next Thursday for my "annual" check-up (now 16 months--saving money, I guess). I rarely go east from here, and Astoria is pretty limited.

 

[Soundguy]

Go online, find the parts distributor for the tool and check on the OEM cord. If I remember correctly, the cord for a Dewalt grinder was only $10 or so. The Milwaukee was about the same. We replaced about 4 recently.
Seems that every piece of steel that falls off a table lands on its edge on a cord. Remarkably good wire cutter.

and then what? 5$ to 8$ shipping.. thus nearly 20$

probably build 3 of them from the box store for that money..


soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Yup.

Here's one that had me pulling out my hair: my favorite 12V Milwaukee drill motor's brushes wore out. Non-replaceable brushes! WTF? I replaced it with two 18V Ridgids (probably made the same way now). I bought two because, on sale, the drill, charger, and two batteries were just a bit more than one large battery pack.

not replaceable.. or not externally replaceable / easilly replaceable?

someone assembled that motor and thus put brushes in it at some point right

soundguy

 

[Short Game]

not replaceable.. or not externally replaceable / easilly replaceable?

someone assembled that motor and thus put brushes in it at some point right

soundguy

Nope, from what I saw inside it, some robot assembled it. The brushes' pigtails were riveted in a frame that was staked together and seemingly contrived to prevent disassembly. Pissed me off, I tell you. Remember when brushes were replaceable from outside the case? Where did that go?

Things today are made to be sold, and once they've done that, they've served there purpose.

--Will Slayton​

 

[Soundguy]

even contact welded pigtails can be repalced. btdt on otherwise 'throw away' type motors with no external service ports to repalce the brushes.

mind you it took time to do it, and may not have been worth it on a throw away tool.. but I like to tinker and had a box full of brushes and found ones to fit... etc.

soundguy

 

[Short Game]

I'm one of those poor souls who, by way of pathology, can't throw anything away. I just dug out that drill motor and the brushes are riveted into a plastic end cap that was staked into the steel motor case. The welded ones I was thinking of were on something else I guess. I have the reputation of being able to fix just about anything. I'm going the way of the dinosaurs. If I found the right little brushes, the only chance I would have to put them on the brush springs is probably epoxy.