I have just re-ended my rake end of the lawn rake power cable. The female socket on the end of the lead made intermittant electrical contact (Poor design). I could not source a replacement socket so I opened up the switch assembly using a Torx pin screw driver, drilled out the aluminium rivet holding the plug assemby to the switch assembly . I then cut off the pins and connected a short length (say 300mm) of the original lead to a standard terminal block. I ran the new section of cable out through one of the holes where the pins fitted and securred it to the rake handle by cable ties to prevent it being pulled out of the switch assembly. Between the now seperate ends of the lead I fitted a weatherproof plug and socket assembly bought for about £4 from Screwfix. This plug and socket are essential to isolate the appliance rather that having to walk all the way back to the socket on the wall. The only significant problem was finding a Torx pin no 20 bit long enough to reach the recessed screw heads holding the switch assembly together. Make sure you have a suitable tool before starting the job. The screws are accessible on the underside of the switch assembly.
Rod Billson
May 2010
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