Hello and welcome to Joe Shows How! A multi-outlet power strip is one of the most convenient accessories you can add to a workshop, shed or garage. However, storing away the power strip when you don’t need it, and then trying to find it when you do, can be pretty frustrating. In this week’s video, I share a quick tip on keeping a power strip at the ready, so you never having to go searching for it.
Start by cutting a strip of wood or plywood that’s the same width as the power strip, and 2 or 3 inches longer. Next, prepare to mount the power strip to the wood strip; be sure the power strip is flush with one end of the wood strip. If your power strip has mounting tabs on each end, simply drive a short screw through each tab and into the wood strip. Otherwise, remove the tiny screws from each side of the power strip and remove its backplate. If the backplate doesn’t have any mounting holes, drill two 3/16-in.-dia. holes through the backplate, positioning them about an inch or so from each end of the plate. Fasten the backplate to the wood strip with two short screws, then set the outlet strip back in place on top of the backplate and secure it with the tiny screws removed earlier.
Next, drill a 1/4-in.-dia. hole through the tongue end of the wood strip. Hold the power strip horizontally against the side of an overhead joist, and secure it by driving a 1 1/2-in.-long sheet-metal screw, with washer, through the hole in the tongue and into the joist. Tighten the screw just enough to hold the power strip in place, but not so tight that you can’t move it. Plug the power strip’s power cord into a nearby electrical outlet.
Now, when you need to use the power strip, just reach up, swing it down to the vertical position, and you’re ready to plug in your tools and accessories.
I hope you find this tip helpful. And as always, thanks for watching!