WhitePlainsNY Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Whether you use SPT-1 or SPT-2 wire, plugs or combine them, I learned it's easier to test the extension cord right after you make one before you plug in the light(s). It stinks to wait until later and search why your light(s) won't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Vampire plugs and SPT/lamp/zip cord is the best thing a decorator can have, period! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djg64 Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 ok had the wife pick up another roll of wire from one of the Hardware stores I found that the wire I had before had more insulation on it than the roll my wife picked up... I went thru the whole roll with out a single prob live and learn will check it more carefully next time I get more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_moody Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Vampire plugs and SPT/lamp/zip cord is the best thing a decorator can have, period!And a hot glue gun !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmac Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Vampire plugs and SPT/lamp/zip cord is the best thing a decorator can have, period!And a hot glue gun !!!AND ZIP TIES!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C. Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 AND ZIP TIES!!!!!!!and electrical tape!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mwhite7097 Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 And an unlimited bank account. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imawlkr2 Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 This is my first year making cords with SPT-2 and I had my first couple cords that did not work. Upon further review, I noticed the plug teeth were piercing towards the center of the wire. I use a pair of pliers and "moved" it back towards the outside edge, and they worked fine. I then started testing every cord after that with no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Fischer Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Just my opinion, but...SPT-2 is way overkill for display purposes. Just use SPT-1. It's lighter, stores easier, and is much easier to work with regarding "vampire plugs". Plus it's probably cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paralegalnc Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Just my opinion, but...SPT-2 is way overkill for display purposes. Just use SPT-1. It's lighter, stores easier, and is much easier to work with regarding "vampire plugs". Plus it's probably cheaper.a wise person told me this right off (wbottomley) saved me money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Czerwinski Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Glad to hear SPT-1 is just as good for our purposes - I've mainly been doing SPT-1 just to save money.I tend to think that buying the plugs from the same place as the wire is extra insurance - because the seller doesn't want the hassle of extra customer service calls or return requests. So I try to buy in batches from the same vendor.Now interesting here in these posts was the link by Mike C. http://www.johnsonsc....com/Cords.html (THANK YOU) I didn't know about the feature to keep the wires seperated in the plug!!! When I was making my cords, I thought shorting could be a problem, but I did not use that feature. Instead, I made sure the cut was good, clean, and straight, and then I pulled on the insulation a bit so that the copper sinks deeper in to the insulation. I know it could creep back, but I thought maybe with the immediate installation in to the plug, the vampire teeth would anchor the relationship of the insulation to the copper.I suppose in time the GFCI will let me know if I am wrong..... Thank you again everyone for the feedback, images, and knowledge! And I agree wtih wbottomley - "Vampire plugs and SPT/lamp/zip cord is the best thing a decorator can have, period! " I'm definitely a fan!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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