On a recent kitchen remodel I found myself ready to attach the plastic laminate to the countertop with contact cement, but I didn’t have my usual stack of spacers that I use to separate the counter and the laminate during alignment. In need of a handy alternative, I turned to a thin extension cord in my kit. I found that by looping the cord across the counter, as shown, I could position the laminate, then remove the cord starting with the loop nearest the center of the counter.
Hayes Rutherford, Coolin, ID
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #29
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Quick thinking! I haven't done a self-edge laminate top in years. Everyone wants granite or quartz now. But, if I forget my wood dowels, I'll know what to do.
While the idea may be good as an idea, improper use of extension cords is ALWAYS of limited intelligence. Encouraging this surrender to temptation by FineHomebuilding is irresponsible journalism. Of course, the abuse of electrical components by carpenters is a historical trait: https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2008/11/07/3-ways-to-wrap-cords-and-hoses
( What's interesting is that the air hose get's more respect than the extension cords in the video. It should be noted that the correct winding should be clockwise )
It's a good idea, it's just that if you're going to do this job you can find a better solution and avoid abusing electrical cords that actually have a safety code for good reasons. That would be more in that column called "Professionalism."
Just make sure the cord is not plugged in!