POWER SQUID
The idea of the Power Squid is that it is a variation on a power strip.  Instead of plugging your cords into a strip, you get power by plugging into little extension cord outlets that look a little like tentacles.  In a regular power strip, big transformers block nearby outlets.  In the Power Squid, the outlets aren't blocked because they can just dangle out of the way.  Plus it looks kind of cool, and has a really neat sounding name.  If you are a "squid-o-phile" then it is a complete lock and you are powerless to avoid needing one of these.

When I started my idea was to hack apart a bunch of inexpensive extension cords and a cheap surge protector to create my Power Squid.  But I quickly found out that even cheap $5 extension cords add up quickly.  Home Depot also sells female plug ends which was another option, but were even more expensive at $5.50 each.  Because I wanted at least 5 tentacles on my squid I needed them to be much cheaper in order prevent this project from becoming a complete waste of time.  I figured out a way to use PVC end caps combined with 3-prong to 2-prong adapters to make an inexpensive tentacle that comes to just over $1 to make.  It's not terribly pretty, but works well.

Next I decided I was going to produce 2 different versions.  The "cheap" version and the "deluxe" version.  The goal of the cheap version was to emphasize function and minimize cost.  The deluxe version was aimed at being cool, and possibly looking at least somewhat more squid-like.  Both versions feature more plugs than the commercial version (7 on the cheap and 10 on the deluxe) and sport 1120 joules of surge protection which is about double what the $20 version comes with.  Both the homemade and the commercial Power Squids should not carry more than 15amps, the limit of the components used in their construction.

Cheap/Functional Version

	Here are the parts we will need a single gang handy box ($0.74) a blank lid for said box ($0.54) 25 foot extension cord cut up into tentacle length pieces ($4.85) 7 - 3/4" PVC end caps with  holes drilled for the extension cord ($0.27 each) 7 - 3-prong to 2-prong plug adapters ($0.49 each) guts from a surge protector ($5.89) *not pictured 2  -  20mm wiggly craft eyes ($0.79) Glue.  I used 2 part epoxy (free, look in your glue drawer)
	Start with the 3-prong to 2-prong adapters.  Since we only need the receptacle end and not the plug end we can cut off the prongs with a hacksaw or something.  You only need to leave enough metal to solder to.  Then use an x-acto knife to cut away enough material so that it will fit inside the PVC end cap.  Depending on your adapter this may be less or more than pictured.
	Test fit the adapters so that you know they will fit inside the end caps.  If you haven't already, make sure you drill the holes for the cord.  My holes were 5/16"
	Pass the cord through the cap and strip the ends so that you can solder them to the plug adapter.  Strip as little insulation as possible.  To maintain polarity of the plug the convention is green to ground, white to the wide plug, and black to the narrow.
	Solder.
	Put the adapter in the end cap and glue in place.
	This is the surge protector I hacked up.  It offers 1120 joules of surge protection (more is better), and has a $200,000 protection guarantee, although I doubt very much they would honor it since the first thing I did even before throwing away the warrantee card was take it apart and steal the guts.
	Note the connections because we will need to follow the same convention when we hook it back up.  White to wide, green to ground and black to narrow.  Note that the black wires are separate, one for power "in" and one for power "out". White and green are both the same connection for in and out.
	Surge protector guts liberated from their old host. The "heart" of the Power Squid.
	7 lengths of cord just fit inside the 1/2" knockout in my handy box.  A zip tie keeps them together and keeps them from shifting or pulling out.  Strip the wire ends.  I had to drill a hole for the power cord end which is also zip tied to keep in place.
	Group and solder the correct wires together and solder in the surge protector.  If you really wanted, you could skip the surge protector and make it just a outlet multiplier, which would further drop the price to under $9.
	Assemble the lid and glue on the wiggly eyes.  Marvel at the pride you feel for creating something you could have bought for cheaper than you made.

Deluxe/Squid-tastic Version
Now that you have successfully created the cheap version, you are now ready to tackle the deluxe version.  The main difference is that we add a bunch of bells and whistles that make it look cool.  It also significantly increases the cost driving the price tag of the deluxe power squid to more than $25.   Most of the steps are exactly like the cheap version,  So instead of step by step, we just need the parts list.

Here are the parts we will need a single gang handy box a blank lid for said box an octagonal ceiling fan box a round lid for said box 25 foot extension cord cut up into tentacle length pieces add a second color for the long tentacles if you like 8 - 3/4" PVC end caps with  holes drilled for the extension cord 8 - 3-prong to 2-prong plug adapters guts from a surge protector 2 - 3-prong plug ends 2 - 1/2" clamp cable connectors (one to connect our two boxes and one to anchor the power cable) *not pictured 2  -  20mm wiggly craft eyes Glue.  I used 2 part epoxy Grey spray paint

Tada!  Squid-tastic.  Squid-rific.  Squid-ular.

Final Thoughts

• I know squids have 8 "regular" tentacles and 2 special "grabby" ones, but 7 worked well for the cheap version.  It's still 2 more than the commercial one.
• Standard web disclaimer stuff applies. Take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt. You may not hold me accountable for anything that you do. I am not a responsible enough person to deserve that kind of trust.  My liability is limited to how much money I am profiting by providing these instructions.
• Share.  It makes all of us stronger/smarter/better.  If you have helpful suggestions, I would love to hear them, if you prefer to be unhelpful, please go climb a tree.
• If you liked this project, you might also be interested in some of my other power distribution projects
• The Gadget Center  a gadget power center and organizer with individual power switches
• Liberator power cords  Make your own short little power cables to deal with bulky transformers
• Crock-O-Stat  A dimmer outlet for continuous temperature control of a Crock-Pot or Lamp