Shopsmith Forums

I am replacing the power cord on my Shopsmith because it is missing the grounding post and the cord has more electrical tape than outer covering. Looking at the cord, I would need to get a heavy duty 2 wire plus ground extension cord for replacment. The current cord has a black, white, and green wire, with green being the ground. Before I can fully replace the cord, I need to get what looks to be the factory strain relief off. How in the world does that thing come off? Also I guess this means I would also need to find another strain relief for the new power cord?

SS has used different strain reliefs in the past. One was molded to the cord and if you did get it off it was practically impossible to get back on. The current one is the type that is split and you compress the two halves together and put it in the hole. This type can be removed and reinstalled with a pair of Channel locks. Which type do you have?
Bill V

I have this kind of strain relief.

They make a special tool but a pair of slip joint pliers will do the job. You have to compress the cord and pull. It will not come off easily and it will be just as difficult to put back.

Maybe this or this will help understand what you are working with.

I got a new power cord today along with the needed connectors. I am now going to have to get a new strain relief. The factory strain relief ended up getting torn up in order to get the old power cord out.

rdavidp wrote:I got a new power cord today along with the needed connectors. I am now going to have to get a new strain relief. The factory strain relief ended up getting torn up in order to get the old power cord out.

This is a timely post. I'm in the middle of a headstock rebuild and also need to replace the cord. I have the molded strain relief so I will need a replacement. Already own a ton of 12/3 power cord that I can cut to any length needed but wonder if anyone knows where to find a strain relief locally. Yes, I realise that few people here are "local" but just looking for a common provider that could be found anywhere such as Grainger, EW, or even Radio Shack. Thanks.

griffmeister wrote:This is a timely post. I'm in the middle of a headstock rebuild and also need to replace the cord. I have the molded strain relief so I will need a replacement. Already own a ton of 12/3 power cord that I can cut to any length needed but wonder if anyone knows where to find a strain relief locally. Yes, I realise that few people here are "local" but just looking for a common provider that could be found anywhere such as Grainger, EW, or even Radio Shack. Thanks.

I would try ACE Hardware. They constantly amaze me with their inventory.

dusty wrote:I would try ACE Hardware. They constantly amaze me with their inventory.

Yes Ace is a good choice. Most hardware stores carry them or some place like Kirby Risk.

For those that may think that this is a tough job, they are used often in the vacuum cleaner industry and during over 20+ years in the business my wife replaced thousands of power cords using them.
We preferred pliers with finer teeth to avoid marring the surfaces of the strain-relief. The tool of choice was a pair of mid-sized lineman's pliers.

If you decide to increase the size of the power cord up to #12ga. wire (often a good move) be sure to move to the proper size strain-relief. That may require reaming the hole in the housing out a little larger.


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robinson46176 wrote:Yes Ace is a good choice. Most hardware stores carry them or some place like Kirby Risk.

For those that may think that this is a tough job, they are used often in the vacuum cleaner industry and during over 20+ years in the business my wife replaced thousands of power cords using them.
We preferred pliers with finer teeth to avoid marring the surfaces of the strain-relief. The tool of choice was a pair of mid-sized lineman's pliers.

If you decide to increase the size of the power cord up to #12ga. wire (often a good move) be sure to move to the proper size strain-relief. That may require reaming the hole in the housing out a little larger.


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Very good advice. The wrong size strain relief or the wrong tool or the wrong size hole or any combination thereof will have you mashing your teeth.

Does a strain relief serve any purpose other than keeping the cord from rubbing on a metal edge and providing a dust cover around the cord to keep dust and dirt from getting inside?