I acquired this older Black & Decker Hedge trimmer and it seems to have a special kind of cord. Any idea where I could find this cord or what its called? I have not been able to even figure out what the cord looks like yet.

UPDATE: I cut off the extra plastic to get access to plug it in and the tool doesn’t even work anyways. Time for the garbage.

  • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
    126·
    2 months ago

    I had one of those for years. A standard, outdoor rated extension cord will plug right into the back of that trimmer. Bring it with you to the hardware store to make sure the female plug fits into the recess.

  • eRac@lemmings.world
    19·
    2 months ago

    Isn’t that just a normal North America plug? Most lawn equipment was set up to use standard extension cords so that cables didn’t have to be unique.

    • kjpctech@lemm.eeOP
      3·
      2 months ago

      A regular extension cord doesn’t fit so far but I’ll check out the store and see the other options. Thanks.

      • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
        4·
        2 months ago

        Does it look like the prongs have dropped into the case further than they’re supposed to be? My old trimmer was very similar but the prongs stuck out quite a bit more so that you could use any regular old extension cord on it. I’d try gently pulling on the prongs to see if you can get them out of that recess in the plastic. People are suggesting using an ungrounded cord but I don’t think they’re very common or easy to find.

        • kjpctech@lemm.eeOP
          1·
          2 months ago

          I tried to pull them out but they don’t seem to move. I’ll try harder if I can’t find a cord. Thanks!

          • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
            31·
            2 months ago

            Looking at it I’ll tell ya right now that’s a proprietary slot right over that plug

            Dremel it out and any normal cord will work, that’s anti-consumer bullshit

            • kjpctech@lemm.eeOP
              2·
              2 months ago

              Thanks this is what I did and it’s a good thing too since the tool doesn’t even work. Cut off the extra plastic plugged it in and nothing. 😀

          • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
            2·
            2 months ago

            I wouldn’t pull too hard as it might just be a proprietary slot like the other user said. The plastic around the plug looks like it could be easily ground off with a dremel tool and allow you to use a normal extension cord.

    • bluGill@fedia.io
      21·
      2 months ago

      No, it is just different enough that a regular socket won’tly fit. It is close enough that the special cord can be used for other things.

  • ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    18·
    2 months ago

    Any extension cord without a grounding lug would work. Take it to the store and try them out until you find one that fits.

    I had this exact trimmer, I would use a piece of twine to tie the cord to the trimmer so I didn’t lose it constantly; those lock tabs don’t work very well, or maybe it was just the cord I had.

  • Please_Do_Not@lemm.ee
    6·
    2 months ago

    It’s a normal plug and a standard extension cord should fit even though it looks weird (I have the same trimmer and many tools with similar plugs in my garage right now haha). The plastic around the female side on the extension cord just can’t be too large or weirdly shaped so that it’ll fit in the gap, but otherwise should be good.

    • kjpctech@lemm.eeOP
      2·
      2 months ago

      Okay I’ll have to check out the store. All of my extension cords are too big to fit in there. Thought there was going to be some proprietary thing. Thanks!

      • ColeSloth
        2·
        2 months ago

        Nothing proprietary. It’s just not easy to find a cord that doesn’t have the big bump that will be in your way for a ground.

  • MrJameGumb@lemmy.world
    5·
    2 months ago

    Looks like it’s just for an extension cord. They probably make a fancy proprietary Black & Decker one for this but any regular cord that will fit should work fine

      • Soup@lemmy.world
        4·
        2 months ago

        Looking at it more I think they did it that way so when you put a regular cord in the plug is protected and the extra spaces on top and bottom are the get your fingers in to unplug it.

  • Placid@lemmy.world
    4·
    2 months ago

    Use an extension cord rated for outdoor use. You can find them at any hardware store and they come in various lengths from 25’ to 100’ usually.

  • Xaphanos@lemmy.world
    2·
    2 months ago

    It looks like there is a lever that will spread open for access to the plug. ?Squeeze or twist? Those tabs might slide out of the way and then grip the cord once it’s connected.

  • Cagi@lemmy.ca
    2·
    2 months ago

    I did a Google search for “power tool extension cord” and got some results that look like they’re made to fit the plug on your tool, like it’s a standardized shape.

      • Destide@feddit.ukEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        Ok thanks for clearing it up nationality wasn’t mentioned? You could find the equivalent for US I imagine. I was confused -1 for trying to help good stuff 🤣

  • Semi-Hemi-Lemmygod@lemmy.worldEnglish
    12·
    2 months ago

    Looks like it’s shaped for an un-grounded electrical cord. Which is not something I’d want to use with a hedge trimmer.