Would like to share a recent set of events that concerned me and feel they would interest some of you also. I noticed some time back that the power cords to both older Lyman pots I have were getting hot on both the pot and receptacle ends. With some effort and with the help of local hardware store I replaced both cords (one was 9/16" pin spacing and the other was 11/16" pin spacing. I had used both from the same outlet in the garage behind the work bench. A couple days ago I had the need to add another receptacle adjacent to the main receptacle for the pots, which is also the most used outlet at my workbench. On removing it from the box, it came apart (outer plastic cover separated from the base). The only fasteners were 2 approximately #4 aluminum screws into the plastic (bakelite?) outer section. Obviously the heat was the major factor along with the age of the receptacle (over 35 years old). The only thing holding the receptacle together was a round repair plug on power strip connection plugged into the outlet. The internal parts of the receptacle were fine and doing their job. Outlet has been replaced with a commercial unit and I believe I will check another outlet that sees infrequent use as the power point for the pots.
If this makes anyone inspect their electrical arrangement and prevents any unauthorized welding I will be happy! If you are not electrically inclined, don't say I told you to do anything on your own.