MAKE A TROUBLE LIGHT.
A handy piece of equipment in the home and on the farm is a heavy-duty extension cord with a shielded light and a side outlet on it. When you want to work on the car or tractor in the yard at night, the trouble light is better than a flashlight. You can use it both for light and as an extension cord. It is safer than matches or a lantern, especially around the garage or barn.
It is easy to make a trouble light, and it gives you good practice in electrical work. Of course you can buy one, but you wouldn't have the fun of making it nor would it suit your needs. Trouble lights are not for permanent use—they're for emergency use and to provide light or electricity in places where they are seldom needed. When you find a trouble light being used as permanent wiring, that's the place to install an outlet.
What Size Cord?
Choose the right kind of cord. What length will be best for your various uses? A cord too long may be bothersome to use and store. What will be the heaviest load you are likely to put on the cord, in amperes? Check appliances you may want to connect to it. No. 16 wire can carry 10 amperes safely for a distance of 50 feet, while No. 18 can carry only up to 7 amperes for a distance of 40 feet. You'll want a "hard service" cord, called S, ST, or SO-type cord by electricians. Junior hard service cords, known as SJ, SJT, or SJO, are fine for lighter duty.
Cord, Plug and Guard
A rubber-handled socket should be used for safety and to withstand hard knocks. It should have a switch on it, preferably a push switch in a recess in the handle.
The connector or attachment plug should be of rubber or solid plastic and have a metal cord grip fastened to it. This grip will hold the cord firmly and prevent strain on the terminal connections.
Finished Trouble Light