Don't use a cheater plug on an old power tool.

You’re removing the ground, and that’s where the danger lives.

Older power tools often have metal bodies and no double insulation. That third prong is the safety net—if a wire comes loose inside, the ground gives the fault current a direct path to the breaker instead of into your hand. A two-prong adapter (also called a cheater plug) kills that path. Now you are the ground. If the tool shorts, the metal case can become live, and you’ll feel it.

An extension cord makes it worse. Long cords already introduce resistance and voltage drop. A cheater plug on top means you’ve got an ungrounded, possibly underpowered setup. And if the extension cord’s outlet doesn’t have a proper ground (many two-prong adapters rely on the outlet’s center screw, which often isn’t actually grounded), you’ve got nothing but faith.

Don’t rely on faith. Use a grounded three-prong extension cord, or replace the tool’s plug with a modern one. If your outlet only has two slots, get an electrician to install a GFCI—not a cheater.

Future You deserves better than a jolt.