My Wahl clipper cord got pinched in the drawer and caught fire mid-taper

Happened last Thursday during a busy afternoon. I pulled the drawer open to grab a guard and the cord got caught, shorted out, and started smoking. Client was cool about it but I had to finish with my backup cordless clippers. Anyone ever have a close call with electrical stuff in the shop?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_riley1mo ago

My old Oster clipper did that like three years ago. The cord got pinched behind my station cabinet and I smelled burning plastic before I even saw the smoke. I switched to a heavy duty extension cord with a built in surge protector after that and mounted the plug up off the floor so nothing can roll over it. Also started checking the cord for any nicks or cuts every Sunday night before the week starts. That one close call made me way more careful about where I run my cords and how they get stored.

tylerr391mo ago

Man I read somewhere that most electrical fires in barbershops start from cords getting pinched or frayed behind cabinets and stations. That smell of burning plastic is something you never forget, it sticks with you. I started taping my cords to the back legs of my station so they stay off the ground and out of the way of chairs and feet. Also I put those little cord covers over the spots where it bends the most, like near the plug. It's crazy how one small thing can mess up your whole day.