Things I wish they made

Bigplanz

I put in an overhead light socket in the basement yesterday. Actually, I replaced one that the kids had broken by pulling too hard on the chain, thus jamming it. While replacing it, I cursed the tiny little screw heads on the fixture to which I was to attach the wires. They are recessed slightly and a PIA to try and hook a 12 gauge wire around. This seems pointless. Why not just put in a 'push-in, screw down' connector for each wire? Very easy to install and the screw down feature will really lock the connection tight (like on a GFCI, I'm not talking about 'stab-in' holes)

Cooper Devices, you have my permission to use my idea without charge.

Anything you wish they made?

gma2rjc

I would like it if they made something that would shut my computer down instantly with just the flip of a switch, without causing any problems.

It just doesn't make sense that we can get information on any subject from anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds. But it takes 30 to 40 seconds for the computer to fully shut down.

Mr. Gates, you have my permission to use my idea without charge. LOL

InPhase277

Get yourself a solid state hard drive. Flash memory has come a long way in just a few years.

rgsgww

Those ssds are $$$


Those cooper lights with the plastic bulb threads suck. They overheat and loosen.

junkcollector

I hate the ground screw provision in cast aluminum bell boxes. They strip out all the time!!


Keyless lampholders terminals suck, theres a just tiny rivet that holds the terminals on.


How about a computer that doesn't need to install "important" updates every day!

I'm sure I can think of more...

rgsgww

This is running sort of off topic pretty fast. Maybe admin should move it?

micromind

One trick I've learned with the ground screws in Bell boxes is to screw the screw most of the way in without any wire under it. This will cut the threads into the aluminum casting. Back it out. Now you can tighten it with the wire under it. Far less chance of stripping it out if the threads are already cut.

Rob

220/221

I wish they made x-ray glasses like the ones they promised us in the comic books. Liars



The ones we use don't have enough space to get a #12 wire around them without removing the screw. It's too close to the edge of the box...idiots

One thing I wish they didn't make is slotted screws.

Bigplanz

I hate slotted screws and philips are almost as bad. I really like the square head screw.

rgsgww

I hate slotted screws, whos great idea was that? Damn screwdrivers slipping all over the place.

zpm

Probably dates back to the beginnings of screw manufacturing. Cutting a slot would have been the easist thing to do. Square, phillps, etc wasn't even invented until the 20th century.

Oh, and if you're interested, the U.S. guvmint has an official homeland security publication on "distinguishing bolts from screws". Your tax dollars at work.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...ctt/icp013.pdf

J. V.

Ever try these. They come in almost any size you need. And yes, someone thought of this many many years ago.

Bigplanz

Hmmmmm, that looks like a good idea. I'll give some of those a try next time. I always associate those with stranded speaker wire, but they would work on solid wire too, of course.

J. V.

Sure. Stranded or solid. You need a crimper though. Google "electrical connectors". There thousands of different types for all different uses.