A useful tool broke

[Scott Douglas]

One of my most useful tools out in the garage is a Craftsman electrical reel. I think my kids may have given it to me eons ago and it's worked fine until today.

I went to vacuum out the CR-V and the shop vac wouldn't turn on. I thought at first it might be the vac as it's seen a lot of use and sounds like it's dying when it shuts off. I wasn't sure if it was the cord or the vac, so I tested my drill motor on my bench power strip to make sure it worked, then plugged it into the reel cord and it worked.

So, I tried the vac again and it did too. But while I was holding the vac I happened to move the cord connection and it stopped running. Gave it a little shake and it started up again.

I think the 3 plug connector, which is molded on, is finally giving up the ghost on me.

My question for the collective is, what would be a suitable connector to replace the molded on one with and how do I spec it out? I don't want to put too small of a connector on ie electrical wise. I usually keep far away from electrical stuff but I think I can put a connector on to save the reel.

It would be nice to put a 3 plug on as it comes in handy sometimes not having to switch plugs. I never use more than one tool at a time so no worries about overloading the cord or plug.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as this reel is really nice to have handy.

[masraum]

It may be that someone like grainger or McMaster has the triple connectors. I don't think you'll find one in a big box store.
Considering the application, I'd get the highest quality that I could find.
But you could go with something like this combination

[cabmandone]

Single plug to a three way splitter like what Steve posted would be my guess. That or buy a short three way splitter extension chord, cut the end off get some heat shrink tube, stagger the connectors and then heat shrink. But the 1 to three splitter would be my first choice.

[Scott Douglas]

I was looking and couldn't find what I wanted.
But found what Nick is talking about and think that's my best bet.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-Outlet-Extender-with-16-AWG-HDC301/319908311
Cut the end off and do some soldering/heat shrinking and call it done.

[wdfifteen]

I hate it when that happens. Can’t you just give it a blue pill?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I was looking and couldn't find what I wanted.
But found what Nick is talking about and think that's my best bet.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-Outlet-Extender-with-16-AWG-HDC301/319908311
Cut the end off and do some soldering/heat shrinking and call it done.

I tend to make extensions for power tools robust. But this may be a bit big compared to the wire in your extension in which case it's probably overkill. If your extension is 16gauge, there's no point in making the last food 12 gauge.

[Scott Douglas]

I went to Lowes and looked at what they had. Ended up at HD and bought the one I linked to above.
Got some of those connectors that have insulation and solder builtin as well so tomorrow I should be set to fix it.

Wife wanted me to buy a new reel. Thinks I'm going to get electrocuted with my fix.
I told her I'd let her test it before I use it.

Sheesh.
She says if I can spend money on RC trucks I can afford to buy a new reel too.

It's because I can fix the old reel that I can afford to spend money on RC trucks, but I don't think she understands that.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Damn if I wasn't gonna make a joke, but thought.."This is what I'd do...'



The biggest issue I see isn't the triple, it's securely attaching the new outlets to the wire as it gets thrashed about.


So why not just get an ugly arse box and hook it directly into the line. (and not use the male plug as pictured) This would give the ability to secure the line to the box in the the same way as Masraum's plug ( a strong connection), but then you could wire the internals of the box any way you please in a bullettproof box.

This may have been mentioned- I didn't read all the responses, but this it how I'd go about it.

Good luck.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Most replacement plugs clamp securely onto the wire, you’ll be fine. Besides a little shock never killed anybody!

[JackDidley]

I had the same reel. It was used up after about 20 years. I came up to the 2000s and bought battery tools and lights.