Shop Exterior plug

Simple exterior plug. Been wanting to do this for a while. However not enough to clean out cabinet for access. I have several exterior receptacles outside but often am over in this corner when sanding or drag the grinder outside. End up running an extension cord which annoys me, simply because I have all these plugs and have one area that requires running a cord. Well that and when running extension cord, ends up in the rose bush-invariably snag myself untangling.


Anyway I had to rewire my phone and add an actual phone box, previously was hardwired. Installing a pulse to tone adapter. Another subject but upgraded house phone & internet-now my old rotary phone wont dial out...Required removing EVERYTHING from workbench shelves and end cabinet to run new phone line. So...took the opportunity to finally add another plug.

Main power is in wall just other side of new plug. Originally was going to tap into existing junction box. After I got the wall cut and box installed for receptacle- decided as its so exposed didn't really want it hot or hardwired when not in use. To lazy to wire as all the other exterior receptacles which are wired from switches inside...
So... I wired with a pigtail.



Kinda hokey but serves the purpose. The pigtail drapes inside cabinet out of the way. Decided I didn't want to be reaching in to find so bored a hole about 3/4 the way thru, large enough for plug to set in. Then bored remainder thru 'just' big enough to squeeze plug thru. Cord pushed in its parked and wont fall inside cabinet.



Enough of plug sticks out so easy to grab-pull out and plug in. Top plug is wired from existing switch, which is where it normally would be plugged in. Though in this pic I plugged into 20amp welder receptacle. Hmmm- Mostly to remind my self to change the receptacle, I have it and plug for welder, on the round toit. Just got moved up.

Anyway handy-no more extension cord. No more draped across the bench.



I then realized this would work for the recently added magnifier lamp. Cord currently is draped either on top or under bench to plug in. Usually underneath which causes cabinet door to be open. Since I had tools out bored face.



That was simple.

Back to shop mods & additions section