CordLatch Prevents Extension Cords from Pulling Apart | Review

CordLatch keeps you connected.

Saving time, which also saves money.

One of life’s little annoyances is being in the middle of a job and pulling on the cord to whatever tool you are using and having it pull apart from the extension cord. It’s frustrating to have to turn the tool off, stop and find the extension cord that’s jerked away and plug it back in.

One solution

So what do most people do to avoid this? They tie the cords together. That works, but if you tie the knot like most carpenters say you should (tying them in an overhand knot to avoid stress on the plugs and plugging the two ends together), you lose a lot of length from the cord you are using. You could give up anywhere from 6 feet to 10 feet.

Invented by a frustrated worker

Sheet Metal Worker and Inventor Richard Carmitchel was also fed up with the problem, so he came up with a device called CordLatch. It’s a small accessory that attaches to the male end of the cord (which generally means it will be installed on the cord of the tool, not the extension cord) and it “latches” over the raised ridge on the receptacle of the extension cord, holding it firmly in place. For safety, they will pull apart under extreme pressure (see video on CordLatch website for demonstration).

Buying Options

The yellow locking pieces and the parts necessary for installing them are sold in kits. You can either buy a kit with enough parts to install on 4 cords for $16.95 or you can purchase a contractors kit for $280 which covers 72 cords. Prices are at the time of this post. See the bottom of the post for more information.

Installation

Installation is very simple.   Just a few easy steps:

Using the provided spacer and 1/8” bit, align the spacer on the male end of the cord.

Set up your drill so that it has a depth of 1” and drill into the cord. If you use the spacer according to instructions, you will not be drilling into any electrical wires and you will not damage the plug on the cord.

There are a couple of different types of plugs out there. If the plug you are installing onto has a lip, you will most likely need to use the provided washer. If not, just line up the yellow latching piece and the pin.

Tap the pin with a hammer until it is fully seated in the plug.

Latching cords together

Latching the cords together is also very simple. Tip the raised ridge part of the extension cord down slight and push into the plug with the CordLatch attached until they are “latched” together.

Pulling cords apart

To pull apart, just slightly flip the upturned tip of the yellow latch, tip the raised ridge down again, and pull apart.If you need to plug your tool directly into a wall, just turn the yellow latch around. It’s that simple. And it works.

Will contractors use this?

My first thought was, probably not. Most contractors I know are so quick at tying cords and extension cords together, that I doubted they would spend the time installing this on multiple tools. BUT after watching the video on the CordLatch site about why contractors should use it, I have changed my opinion and think some will.

Will DIYers use this?

Absolutely. If you have a few cords around the house that you know you regularly plug into an extension cord, then this little gadget is a no-brainer. It’s relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and solves a common problem. So there’s really no reason not to use the CordLatch.

Overall Impressions

I absolutely love it when a clever person invents something that solves a common problem and we all say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”.  And that’s what Richard Carmitchel has done with the CordLatch. And they are made in the USA. After installing them, I can emphatically say they are easy to install. And after testing them, I can also attest they do indeed work as they are designed. I don’t know how long the plastic will last before it breaks, but it feels pretty solid to me. I would try to avoid running over it with a truck, but for DIY use, the plastic should be strong enough.   Now, I have no doubt that they are safe. I had my concerns at first. I mean it does make me a bit nervous to drill into anything with electrical wires, but Richard has taken that concern away with the “idiot-proof” space provided with the kit.  There are also safety questions answered on the website.

CordLatch is another invention that we give a “thumbs up”. If you have an invention you’d like for us to look at, email us at info@toolskool.com.

For more information about the CordLatch: CLICK HERE

To purchase the Contractor Kit on Amazon.com: CLICK HERE