$1 Extension Cord

by Lightboat

2.3K1312

Intro: $1 Extension Cord

Why to buy, when you can make your own extension cord at your home at a price of less than a dollar.

Warning: Make sure you have good knowledge of electricity and how it works before making this product. I have used denim which is not a fire-resistant fabric because I wanted it for mobile phone charging purpose only. If you want to run high power consuming electrical equipment, such as- hair drier, Iron, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, pc etc, you should avoid denim because it might catch fire during spark or when the electric load is high.

Materials Required

  1. Switch
  2. Plug with cable
  3. Four Plug-Socket
  4. Insulated Copper PVC Cable
  5. Rejected denim jeans
  6. Fevicol or any synthetic resin glue

  7. PVC corrugated sheet

STEP 1:

Trace plug-socket profile on cardboard. Maintain a gap of minimum 25 mm to create more room for plugs.

STEP 2:

Cut a piece of denim which is large enough to wrap the whole assembly as shown here

STEP 3:

Paste cardboard using Fevicol or using any synthetic resin glue behind the piece of denim and make cut-outs to insert plug-sockets and switches. After cut-outs are made secure all the plug sockets and switches using nut-bolts as shown in the video.

STEP 4:

For wiring and making the circuit work follow the diagram. Make sure Negative and Positive terminals are not touching each other. Wherever wire covering is gone while striping, cover or mask it properly using electrical insulation tape to avoid any short circuit.

STEP 5:

Only when wiring is done and circuit is working you can proceed to this step. Place a piece of cardboard above all the wiring and start closing it from all the sides as shown in the video. Let it dry for 5 hours. Stitch both the openings using nylon thread.

STEP 6:

Cut PVC corrugated sheet as per length and width of overall extension cord and insert it in such a way that it should act as a barrier between denim and circuit. By doing so you will avoid any damages or fire catching to denim due to heat and spark generated by the circuit.

STEP 7:

Your extension cord it is ready to use.

Click here to Watch complete making video
Click here to Watch quick making video

8 Comments

bobrob5k 6 years ago

I'm a little shocked that I stumbled upon this on the "featured" page of instructables.

The idea shows creativity but probably not the best project to publish on the internet...even with the disclaimer at the top.

ValentinJ2 6 years ago

your diagram in step 4 shows that the switch short circuits the plug. If someone follows your diagram, it's a fire guaranteed, whether or not there is a pvc sheet.

john12692 6 years ago

This is likely to kill someone.

Lightboat 6 years ago

Fire and shock hazard will not happen because of a PVC sheet which is acting as a barrier in between denim and circuit.

Thank you for commenting, actually, I forgot to write that step during writing this instructable. Please read this instructable again, you find that step updated.

Wraithbourn 6 years ago

How is this a 1$ extension cord when you need to already have the following to build it:

Materials Required


  1. Switch
  2. Plug with cable
  3. Four Plug-Socket
  4. Insulated Copper PVC Cable
  5. Rejected denim jeans
  6. Fevicol or any synthetic resin glue
  7. Cardboard


    Plus it does look like a fire and shock hazard waiting to happen...

Lightboat 6 years ago

An average quality Switch and four plugs will cost you Rupee 60-70 max. in the Indian market. I have used my malfunctioning laptop charger's three-point plug with cable, which cost nothing. Other crafting material I arrange by looking around my house and surrounding.

Fire and shock hazard will not happen because of a PVC sheet which is acting as a barrier in between denim and circuit.

Thank you for commenting, actually, I forgot to write that step during writing this instructable. Please read this instructable again, you find that step updated.