How to Make the Trouble Light
Tools Needed:
Your 4-H electrician's kit or screwdriver, knife and soldering iron
Materials Needed:
1. About 20 feet of 2-wire, No. 16 heavy duty (hard service)
2. A rubber-handled socket with switch and a side outlet
3. A shielded lamp guard
Materials Needed
4. A good connector plug cap, preferably with a clamp-type grip for the cord
5. A rough service lamp bulb
6. Solder and flux
Steps to Take:
1. Remove about 2 inches of the outer covering of cord at one end.
2. Separate the wires and cut away the filler material.
3. Remove 3/4 inch of the conductor insulation from the end of each wire and tightly twist the strands together to form a firm conductor. Be careful not to cut any of the fine wires. Ends may be soldered.
4. Slide the plug in position on the cord.
5. If there is no cord grip, tie the underwriters' knot (Figure 1). If there isn't room enough, make an "S" loop by passing the wires around the prongs before fastening them to the terminal screws as explained in the next step.
6. Loop the bare part of the wire around the screw in the direction the screw is turned to tighten (clockwise direction). This will prevent the wires from being forced out from under the head of the screw as it is tightened. Now repeat with the second wire, wrapping it around the other prong of the plug.
Connecting the socket.
1. Separate the parts of rubber-handled socket (Figure 2).
2. Prepare the other end of the cord as in steps 1, 2, and 3 above.
3. Insert the cord through the rubber handle and socket guard.
4. Tie the holding knot (underwriters' knot) as explained in Step 5.
5. Connect wires to terminal screws and assemble the rubber-handled socket.
6. Screw in the rough service lamp and test your cord.
7. Put the shielded lamp guard on the socket and tighten the holding clamp until it is firmly in place. You are now ready to use or demonstrate your trouble light.
8. After you've made your trouble light, decide on a good place to keep it where it will be handy for use. Loop it carefully and hang it over a wooden dowel rather than a nail. It will last longer.
Figure 1 Tying an Underwriter's Knot
Figure 2 Disassembled Light