Hey everyone! I'm looking for suggestions on a power strip suitable for my all-in-one workbench. I need it to support my Skil 15-amp table saw, which will be plugged into an automatic vacuum switch, along with my shop vac dust collector and a CT midi sander. Ideally, I need at least four outlets since I can unplug the track saw and other tools that aren't fixed. Additionally, a long cord (at least 12 feet) would be great since the table saw has a pretty short one. Any recommendations?
3 Answers
You'll want to consider a power strip with a solid rating for heavy-duty use. Tripp Lite makes some really reliable strips that might fit your needs. They generally provide good safety features and can handle the demands of woodworking equipment. Just make sure the circuit you're plugging into is appropriately rated for the total load!
I recently found a cool setup for adding more outlets directly to your bench. You might look into using a gang box with flex conduit for your power needs. Just make sure all the components are suited for what you’re using it for. Here’s a pic of what I’m talking about!
Oh, that's a neat idea! I appreciate the suggestion and the picture!
If you're dealing with multiple heavy tools, it's essential to ensure your circuit can handle everything running simultaneously. Ideally, you'd want to have your table saw and dust collector on separate breakers, but if that's not possible, starting the shop vac after the saw is already running can sometimes help prevent tripping the breaker. And for the power setup, installing a 15ft or longer extension from a single outlet might be beneficial if you're limited on outlets.
Got it, I’ll be mindful of the circuit load. Thanks for the heads-up!
Thanks for the tip! I'll check out Tripp Lite and make sure I don't overload the circuit.