Power Cord Repair
 

I'm wanting to improve the safety of a Bates 56 Electric stapler. The power cord has several cracks in the insulation, but it appears to be a non-standard design. From what I can tell, it's insulation over other insulated wires, rather than each wire having separate insulation. Is there a service to get the outer insulation rebuilt, rather than replacing the entire cord? I'd prefer to keep the original.

That is a vacuum cleaner type cord. If the inner insulation is fine, then it is safe, but it is hard to determine that. I've never heard of any service like the one you describe....Cords are replaced not rebuilt. If you want it to look original you will have to find a similar cord likely off an old vacuum and attach that or leave the original.

That's what I was concerned about. I'm not sure where I would find a cord that matches this, it's pretty specific.

Sniff around some older vacuum cleaner repair shops and see if they have any similar cords (you probably won't find one with the same plug though), check old vacuums at thrift stores, etc. If that fails and you don't trust the original, then replace it with the best looking safe cord you find.

We all have to live with changing cool original cords for safety from time to time.....I can't begin to tell you the number of 30's and 40's radios with rotted rubber cords that had REALLY COOL molded on (thus not transferable) plastic or rubber plugs that I wanted to preserve, but could not (aside from keeping a sample of the cord and the plug with the set).

The cord has an outer jacket on it and chances are, it's not a real hazard for shock or fire.
You have to look all over to find vintage cords, that are in good condition.
I bought a few from Ebay, that had the older type molded plug style.
Today, most equipment sold today, has those stiff imported power cords on them. In the cold weather, they're almost impossible to use.
One source to check, would be a service center, that handles high quality power tools, like Dewalt and Milwaukee. Their high end products, usually have power cords that remain flexible. :thmbsp: