Comments on: Slinky crossed with an extension cord http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 14:52:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Photomonkey http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1604007 Photomonkey Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1604007 I've used similar cords and I can confirm that:  They are a pain to store because if you try to wind them the coils hook into each other.  It's hard to tell when you've stretched one too far, so they get pulled out of the wall even more often than normal cords (ESPECIALLY while vacuuming!)  They are bigger trip hazard because they don't lay flat (but at least the one that I used was bright orange instead of dark grey!)  If you have tangled extension cords just learn how to coil properly, it's really easy and totally worth taking the time to do. I’ve used similar cords and I can confirm that:  They are a pain to store because if you try to wind them the coils hook into each other.  It’s hard to tell when you’ve stretched one too far, so they get pulled out of the wall even more often than normal cords (ESPECIALLY while vacuuming!)  They are bigger trip hazard because they don’t lay flat (but at least the one that I used was bright orange instead of dark grey!)  If you have tangled extension cords just learn how to coil properly, it’s really easy and totally worth taking the time to do.

]]> By: Grambo http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1603407 Grambo Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1603407 This. This.

]]> By: TheOven http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1603323 TheOven Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1603323 Did they just show a person defeating the safety plug in the bathroom? Yeah, that's smart. Did they just show a person defeating the safety plug in the bathroom? Yeah, that’s smart.

]]> By: Trevour http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1603036 Trevour Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1603036 I don't know about everyone else, but I like my extension cords FLAT ON THE GROUND. I don’t know about everyone else, but I like my extension cords FLAT ON THE GROUND.

]]> By: a1penguin http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602943 a1penguin Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602943 If you watched the video, don't do what the woman in the bathroom did.  Bathroom outlets are GFI protected to add a measure of safety when electrical appliances are used near sources of water.  The hall outlet she connected to using the extension cord is most likely not.   It is an electrocution hazard.  She could save her own life by going to the basement and resetting the breaker instead of being lazy. If you watched the video, don’t do what the woman in the bathroom did.  Bathroom outlets are GFI protected to add a measure of safety when electrical appliances are used near sources of water.  The hall outlet she connected to using the extension cord is most likely not.   It is an electrocution hazard.  She could save her own life by going to the basement and resetting the breaker instead of being lazy.

]]> By: David Deutsch http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602832 David Deutsch Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602832 Is there a single person on earth using a vacuum like that? Dragging the cable along by hand? I assumed everybody does it like I do - roll it out at the beginning, work your way through the apartment/house in a way that minimizes tangling. Is there a single person on earth using a vacuum like that? Dragging the cable along by hand? I assumed everybody does it like I do – roll it out at the beginning, work your way through the apartment/house in a way that minimizes tangling.

]]> By: Vulpes Abnocto http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602275 Vulpes Abnocto Sun, 09 Dec 2012 01:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602275 "Noooo springs! Hehehehehe!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2Hym_r409g “Noooo springs! Hehehehehe!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2Hym_r409g

]]> By: Chelsea Ihnacik http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602210 Chelsea Ihnacik Sat, 08 Dec 2012 23:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602210 Have you ever gotten your slinky tangled though?  That is an awful mess from which you will never recover! Have you ever gotten your slinky tangled though?  That is an awful mess from which you will never recover!

]]> By: dragonfrog http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602201 dragonfrog Sat, 08 Dec 2012 23:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602201 GFI outlet in the bathroom keep tripping when you plug in the hairdrier?  No problem, just haul in power from the hall - nothing could possibly go wrong! GFI outlet in the bathroom keep tripping when you plug in the hairdrier?  No problem, just haul in power from the hall – nothing could possibly go wrong!

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602183 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 08 Dec 2012 22:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602183 I have a corded phone. It's quite useful for the rare occasion when you end up on a three-hour call. I have a corded phone. It’s quite useful for the rare occasion when you end up on a three-hour call.

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602057 Itsumishi Sat, 08 Dec 2012 20:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602057 @bcsizemo:disqus hasn't just pointed out that it doesn't suit all scenarios, but also that it fails its main supposed advantage. This won't be any more tangle free than the coiled cords on old home phones, or even an old slinky which was always a complete shit to untangle. @bcsizemo:disqus hasn’t just pointed out that it doesn’t suit all scenarios, but also that it fails its main supposed advantage. This won’t be any more tangle free than the coiled cords on old home phones, or even an old slinky which was always a complete shit to untangle.

]]> By: traalfaz http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602056 traalfaz Sat, 08 Dec 2012 20:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602056 I'm skeptical. I have a coily air hose for use with shop air. Honestly, it's a pain in the ass.  The loops make it tangle a lot more than a straight hose does when you pull it around.  Also when you are pulling around a corner, the loops tend to drag and snag rather than just going around the corner smoothly.  It's one of those things that seems like an incredibly good idea at first, but when it hits reality and you're pulling it around, it fails miserably. I’m skeptical. I have a coily air hose for use with shop air. Honestly, it’s a pain in the ass.  The loops make it tangle a lot more than a straight hose does when you pull it around.  Also when you are pulling around a corner, the loops tend to drag and snag rather than just going around the corner smoothly.  It’s one of those things that seems like an incredibly good idea at first, but when it hits reality and you’re pulling it around, it fails miserably.

]]> By: LJSeinfeld http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602049 LJSeinfeld Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602049 Trip hazard.   Trip hazard.  

]]> By: Scott Elyard http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602046 Scott Elyard Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602046 So it's an extension cord, then.  So it’s an extension cord, then. 

]]> By: Jesseham http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602039 Jesseham Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602039 Over-under, yo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqbYyaUY5Sk Over-under, yo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqbYyaUY5Sk

]]> By: Ian Kerr http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602031 Ian Kerr Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602031  I guess that's the price you pay for a quality, domestically made product.  I guess that’s the price you pay for a quality, domestically made product.

]]> By: Scott Elyard http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602029 Scott Elyard Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602029 These cords look like you can put them away a lot faster than recoiling extension cords. Regular extension cords are a pain. The only legitimate complaint I can see about their use might come from trying to use them in really cold weather. But then, that applies to regular extension cords, too. I think these are a neat idea.  These cords look like you can put them away a lot faster than recoiling extension cords. Regular extension cords are a pain.

The only legitimate complaint I can see about their use might come from trying to use them in really cold weather. But then, that applies to regular extension cords, too.

I think these are a neat idea. 

]]> By: Wingnut http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602030 Wingnut Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602030 Just the thing to tangle people's feet, wrap around kid's necks and act as a chew-toy for curious pets. Just the thing to tangle people’s feet, wrap around kid’s necks and act as a chew-toy for curious pets.

]]> By: Ian Kerr http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602028 Ian Kerr Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602028 Made in the US, from US materials, too.  How 'bout that... Made in the US, from US materials, too.  How ’bout that…

]]> By: hugh crawford http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602020 hugh crawford Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602020 Have you ever tried to untangle a slinky !? Also it needs more yackety sax. Have you ever tried to untangle a slinky !?

Also it needs more yackety sax.

]]> By: DreadJester http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602019 DreadJester Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602019 It's just an oversized telephone cord.  Oh wait......  Half of you have no idea what those are.... It’s just an oversized telephone cord.  Oh wait……  Half of you have no idea what those are….

]]> By: SedanChair http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602015 SedanChair Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602015 Who exactly makes money off of <i>that</i>? Who exactly makes money off of that?

]]> By: flappy http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602010 flappy Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602010 Electric guitarists mostly gave up on that idea decades ago. Just learn how to properly wrap cable and this solution will have no problem to solve. Electric guitarists mostly gave up on that idea decades ago. Just learn how to properly wrap cable and this solution will have no problem to solve.

]]> By: Wayne Dyer http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1602007 Wayne Dyer Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1602007 I'm reminded of Coily, from "A Case of Spring Fever". I’m reminded of Coily, from “A Case of Spring Fever”.

]]> By: Lobster http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1601997 Lobster Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1601997 Haven't they used tubing like this on hazmat suits for decades? http://windward.hawaii.edu/Calendar/2007/2007_Fall_Chemistry_Forum/image_04.jpg Haven’t they used tubing like this on hazmat suits for decades?

http://windward.hawaii.edu/Calendar/2007/2007_Fall_Chemistry_Forum/image_04.jpg

]]> By: Joe Maynard http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1601986 Joe Maynard Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1601986 so you're buying 20 feet of extension cord and winding it into an effective maximum length of about 8 feet or something. great. and when the contracting spring force or weight of the cord exceeds the friction in the outlet terminals, it unplugs itself. seems easier to just be more careful about putting your extension cords away correctly so they don't get tangled. so you’re buying 20 feet of extension cord and winding it into an effective maximum length of about 8 feet or something. great. and when the contracting spring force or weight of the cord exceeds the friction in the outlet terminals, it unplugs itself. seems easier to just be more careful about putting your extension cords away correctly so they don’t get tangled.

]]> By: Carlos Cardoso http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1601978 Carlos Cardoso Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1601978 So... it does not solve every possible scenario? What a terrible product. So… it does not solve every possible scenario? What a terrible product.

]]> By: B. Lloyd http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1601970 B. Lloyd Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1601970 best deal is the multi-pak with various sizes from 4 to 45 feet in upscaling wattages. $79 plus $19.50 shipping, no prime allowed.  http://i.imgur.com/sCi8j.jpg kind of expensive for extension cords, regardless of how fun they are. best deal is the multi-pak with various sizes from 4 to 45 feet in upscaling wattages. $79 plus $19.50 shipping, no prime allowed. 

http://i.imgur.com/sCi8j.jpg

kind of expensive for extension cords, regardless of how fun they are.

]]> By: Boris Bartlog http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1601952 Boris Bartlog Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1601952 Slinkies do tangle, though... as do water hoses with this same basic design. It's sort of a double or nothing bet: they tangle less easily, but man what a mess when they do... Slinkies do tangle, though… as do water hoses with this same basic design. It’s sort of a double or nothing bet: they tangle less easily, but man what a mess when they do…

]]> By: bcsizemo http://boingboing.net/2012/12/08/slinky-crossed-with-an-extensi.html#comment-1601951 bcsizemo Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=199203#comment-1601951 <i>Plugging hair dryer into hall outlet/non-gfci...</i> Yeah that home /diy/er in me is showing... It's an interesting idea, but it's more like a solution in search of a problem.  It's going to get tangled.  I know the "home" phone is a thing of the past, but those were essentially coiled cords like this and it's not like those were knot free.  Plus you are going to need more physical cord to reach a given length, but for short lengths under 20 feet they would be convenient.   For a cord 20ish foot long or below I might spring for it, but it's certainly not replacing my 100 foot extension cord (or my retractable ceiling mounted one in my workshop.) Plugging hair dryer into hall outlet/non-gfci…

Yeah that home /diy/er in me is showing…

It’s an interesting idea, but it’s more like a solution in search of a problem.  It’s going to get tangled.  I know the “home” phone is a thing of the past, but those were essentially coiled cords like this and it’s not like those were knot free.  Plus you are going to need more physical cord to reach a given length, but for short lengths under 20 feet they would be convenient.   For a cord 20ish foot long or below I might spring for it, but it’s certainly not replacing my 100 foot extension cord (or my retractable ceiling mounted one in my workshop.)

]]>