The tip of a pair of needlenose pliers, spread open against the inside of the screw shell, has always worked for me...even on large lamps or ones with a bayonet base (like some stage lighting lamps).
I've never been one to waste a perfectly good potato...
Looking at that ampacity table, I would think that an 18awg. extension cord for any kind of power tool would be pretty flimsy.
Mike (mamills)
[This message has been edited by mamills (edited 11-14-2002).]