Extension cord reels?

[jbrumberg]

Are there any decent 12/3 extension cord reels that work that do not cost a small fortune?

 

[bcp]

I've gone to these for economy, simplicity, and reliability.



Bruce

 

[KennyG]

Depends on how long of cord you are using, but I've been using these find them very convenient.

Set of 4 Extension Cord Wraps 17-1/2" Length, Each Hold Up To 15 Feet - Black Duck Brand - - Amazon.com

 

[lostcreekranch]

Jay, I’ve been very pleased with this one from Northern Tool.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200665711_200665711

It’s 12/3 cord but, NT does have one with 16/3 wire.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660256_200660256

I’ve also got a Rockler cord reel in different part of shop. It’s 12/3 but cord only extends about 35’.

12-Gauge Retractable Extension Cord Reel | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

All depends on your needs.

 

[jbrumberg]

Bruce- Those reels work great on my 16/3 cords.

Kenny- I have 60' of 12/3 cord.

Rick- I do not need a retracting reel. I wish that I had a need for one .

My intended use is for better cord management and the ability to take the cord to my tractor for the preheaters.

 

[bcp]

All of mine (5-6 or so) have 12/3 cords on them. I just added another a few days ago. 50ft 12/3 still a little kinky from the oval packaging. No problem. Some have 80ft 12/3, which fills it to the rim.

Bruce

 

[newbury]

I use what bruce posted for my favorites and what kenny posted for my "cheap wraps".

 

[lostcreekranch]

Bruce- Those reels work great on my 16/3 cords.

Kenny- I have 60' of 12/3 cord.

Rick- I do not need a retracting reel. I wish that I had a need for one .

My intended use is for better cord management and the ability to take the cord to my tractor for the preheaters.

Ok, then I agree with the reels Bruce uses for your application.

I’ve got a couple of those too.

 

[chevy791979]

I use Wonder winders. Menards carries them.

 

[Bird]

I've gone to these for economy, simplicity, and reliability.

View attachment 540537

Bruce

Me, too. I've got 3 of them.

 

[frugalangler]

I've gone to these for economy, simplicity, and reliability.

View attachment 540537

Bruce

I've got a couple of these, but also like the old fashioned elongated H style, and have also a couple of these Buy Cord Reels - Free Shipping over $5� | Zoro.com that I actually like better than the orange one above. It just seems a little sturdier for heavy cords. But, I've got one 14/3 50' that is about 50 years old, still in great shape, but it the size of a garden hose in diameter, so it's not gonna role up on any of those! Heavy as #3!!, but sentimental as it was one my daddy bought for a project we did together when I was a young lad, can't let it go!

 

[kf4uda]

I've gone to these for economy, simplicity, and reliability.

View attachment 540537

Bruce

I just bought one of these as well. I bought a new 100' 12/3 cord and needed a reel for it. Hard to beat for the price.

Amazon.com: Bayco KW-13 Cord Storage Reel with Center Spin Handle, 15-Feet: Home Improvement

 

[jbrumberg]

I need to go down to the "Big City" later today. I intend to buy the reel model or its equivalent. It use to be on a real like that until I ran over it. I saw a method of "velcroing" the cord ends to the outside of the reel rim which is really a decent, simple solution to flailing ends.

Thanks for the recommendations.

J

 

[Wakey]

I saw a method of "velcroing" the cord ends to the outside of the reel rim which is really a decent, simple solution to flailing ends.

I just use a piece of wire, Cat 5 in this case.

These reels are great, I plug in the cord and pay it out. Many times most of the cord is still on the reel.

 

[Budweiser John]

Over the years working in the building trades I found the most straight forward way to manage cords and hoses was to simply coil them in a figure eight pattern and secure the coil with one or more cable clasps available from the electrical department at Menards.
The cord is simply laid on he floor and you walk away with the business end and go to work. The cord or hose will uncoil kink free.
The same method works well for welding leads as well
B. John

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have one of the orange reels but find that the flopping cord end is a PIA. Velcroing it might work. I do find that just wrapping the cord around my hand/elbow works fast and makes a tight bundle. For longer cords, I simply gather up an arm length per wrap and then hang it on a long nail. I have a couple of cord handcuffs that work great to hold everything together but I haven't seen them in many years at any local store. While the reels seem like a good idea, they just aren't too great for my uses. Those H shaped ones would be my least favorite way to wrap up a cord, a real PIA to reel out, much worse than just arm wrapping the cords.

 

[jbrumberg]

Wakey- That's a good idea for securing the end.

B. John- That's what I have been doing. Doing the "process" in the ice and snow is getting old.

Gary- That is one of my "issues" with these reels- the flopping ends. I saw a picture of one of these reels loaded with 12/3 with a couple of feet of cord from both ends wrapped around the outside of the reel and secured with velco straps. I could not doing that photo this AM, but it seems to be a practical solution to the flailing cord ends.

 

[bcp]

I don't know why you guys have flailing ends. That's what the holes in the side are for.

Stick one end through a large hole on the side away from the handle, then snap the last inch of the cord into the small hole. Wind up the rest and stick the end through a big hole and snap it into the small hole. Both ends should be on the side opposite the handle. If the reel is completely full, stick the end under a previous wrap or two.

Bruce

 

[Wakey]

I'm not a fan of rolling cords from elbow to hand because eventually the conductors twist in the jacket.

For those that would rather freehand roll your cord, check this out. Really cool.

 

[FreedomFamilyFarms]

I'm not a fan of rolling cords from elbow to hand because eventually the conductors twist in the jacket.

For those that would rather freehand roll your cord, check this out. Really cool.

Not sure how I’ve lived this long without learning that trick. Will be trying that on some rope tomorrow.