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Quality cord reel at a reasonable price?

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RockMonkey

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I want a good quality hanging electrical cord reel. I don't want to pay a fortune though. I burned up two Dewalt chop saws using a 20 ft 16 gauge cord reel, so I need something more significant. Preferably at least 12 gauge. I have 12 foot ceilings in my garage, and it needs to reach all the corners, so the longer the better. I found this one at Sears that looks like it would fit the bill. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...BV_EngineID=ccdkaddlffgggekcefecemldffidfmg.0
I don't really want to spend that much. I know, I get what I pay for and all, but I thought maybe someone here knows of a good one for less cash.
 
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RockMonkey

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I just found this. Seems like a good price. Anyone have one? http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200237924_200237924
I'm electriacatarded, so I'm a little confused by the description. It looks like the short cord that plug into the outlet is 14 gauge, and the 40 foot extension cord is 12 gauge. Why would they do that? Should I be concerned about that? The Sears one looks to be 12 gauge throughout. They are both rated for 15 amps. $49.99 sure is a whole lot more attractive than 129.99...
 
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Roospike

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16 gauge cord reel are good for some shop lights .............
i would never put a power tool on any 16 gauge wire , especially a 15 amp chop saw.

I would say a 12 wire is a 12 wire but the difference you are looking at is the quality of the reel the quality of the mount and other hardware of the units.

I have heard the Northern tool ones ( as posted) are junk just like the cheap garbage Harbor Freight ones.

Companys are not overcharging you $50 on one vs the other , there is a big quality issue / difference from one reel to another.

Buy the better quality one now and forget about it.

Cheap tools are not less expencive , you will spend more money on "cheap tools" in the long run.
 
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Roospike

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BTW: the 16 gauge cord reel cost you over $300.+ in burned out chop saws so there was no money savings on that buy.

a good cord reel is going to run around $80.- $140.

a great cord reel is going to be $120.-$200. + +
 
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RockMonkey

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Roospike said:
BTW: the 16 gauge cord reel cost you over $300.+ in burned out chop saws so there was no money savings on that buy.

a good cord reel is going to run around $80.- $140.

a great cord reel is going to be $120.-$200. + +
Click to expand...

I am well aware of the costs of the chop saws (they actually warrantied them for me, despite the cause of the problem). That was years ago when I didn't know any better. That's why I'm not using that cord reel any more, and I'm shopping for a new one.

So... Got any links to a "good" cord reel for $80 or a "great" one for $120? That's what this thread is all about. :)
 
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kartracer55

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I actually use this one....

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...ric+Cords+and+Power+Strips&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

I was going to go for the 12 guage but I realized I would never be using more than one tool at a time, and I have never tripped its built in breaker running anything. Of course no chop saws, but I have run a circular saw with no problem. This reel is more than enough for a serious DIY-er. I tend to go overboard with things but I have not had a problem with this one.
 
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Roospike

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kartracer55 said:
I actually use this one....

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...ric+Cords+and+Power+Strips&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

I was going to go for the 12 guage but I realized I would never be using more than one tool at a time, and I have never tripped its built in breaker running anything. Of course no chop saws, but I have run a circular saw with no problem. This reel is more than enough for a serious DIY-er. I tend to go overboard with things but I have not had a problem with this one.
Click to expand...

circular saw on a 14 gauge cord with no problem ? So can you look at the 14 gauge cord and tell its letting enought amps through for what the tool needs ?

Thats like looking at plug wires in a car and thinking there OK because they look fine . :lol_hitti

In a shop i would make sure the wall wires for outlets are all 12 gauge as well as any extention cords being used for tools.

I know someone that burned out 2 high dollar DeWalt chops running them on a 16 gauge cord even tho I'm sure the cords looked fine. :lol_hitti
 
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RockMonkey

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Thanks for all the helpful replies. I just barely bought the Alemite reel. The total was 57.98 with shipping. It's 40 feet, and 12 gauge throughout. Seems like a great price for what it is. I will report back when I get it. Thanks wilbilt for telling me that Alemite has at least been around a while. That made the decision easier.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alemite-40-12-3...ryZ75577QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
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bmwpower

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RockMonkey said:
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I just barely bought the Alemite reel. The total was 57.98 with shipping. It's 40 feet, and 12 gauge throughout. Seems like a great price for what it is. I will report back when I get it. Thanks wilbilt for telling me that Alemite has at least been around a while. That made the decision easier.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alemite-40-12-3...ryZ75577QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...

Haven't looked, but maybe you have....do they make a 50 footer?
 
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wilbilt

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RockMonkey said:
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I just barely bought the Alemite reel. The total was 57.98 with shipping. It's 40 feet, and 12 gauge throughout. Seems like a great price for what it is. I will report back when I get it. Thanks wilbilt for telling me that Alemite has at least been around a while. That made the decision easier.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alemite-40-12-3...ryZ75577QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...

Please let us know what you think after it arrives. I might buy a couple if the review is good.
 
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Roospike

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wilbilt said:
Please let us know what you think after it arrives. I might buy a couple if the review is good.
Click to expand...


I have no dought that it will work when he gets it but the real question is how long will it work and how it works down the road.

Thats the problem with the cheap Northern tool and Harbor Freight ones , you save a few $$ now but they dont hold up and dont last very long and you end up buying a new one and spending MORE $$ in the long run.

The thread is "Quality cord reel at a reasonable price? "

looks like the cheaper on is a reasonable price but dont know about the quality part tho. There has to be a reason these cord reels are 1/3 - 1/4 and even 1/10 the price of a quality unit.
 
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RockMonkey

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RickP330 said:
Someone posted this a while back. I have been meaning to try one, but you use your own cord.

http://www.cordpro.com/cp100.html

Anyone have one?
Rick
Click to expand...
Seen those at trade shows and stuff. They seem like they work reasonable well for extension cord storage. I prefer to use an old climbing rope technique that guarantees a tangle-free cord and is very quick to unwrap.

wilbilt said:
Please let us know what you think after it arrives. I might buy a couple if the review is good.
Click to expand...

I will update this thread when it arrives.
 
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bmwpower

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I dunno...looks an aweful lot like the HF one...
 

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RockMonkey

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bmwpower said:
I dunno...looks an aweful lot like the HF one...
Click to expand...

Which is the same as the Northern Tool one. I noticed the resemblance yesterday. I'm very curious to see if it has the same 14 gauge input cord. I will let you guys know.
 
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RockMonkey

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Well, it is the Northern Tool/Harbor Freight/etc one. Identical except for the color. It does have the 14 gauge input cord. It seems like an okay reel other than that stupid input cord. Why would they go to the trouble of putting 40 feet of 12 AWG cord on, an then stick 5 feet of 14 AWG on the end? Oh well. I have talked with the company I bought it from. I pointed out that the input cord is 14 AWG and it is not as-advertised. They were apologetic, and are going to give me a full refund, and pay for return shipping.

My search continues! Last week I found one that looked good, and now I can't find it. :( This one looks like it might fit the bill.
http://www.arizonatools.com/tools/retractable-power-reels/detail/COL04820/
 
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bmwpower

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RockMonkey said:
This is the one I was looking for. Looks good. A little bit shorter cord, but great reviews. The first reviewer even mentions that it is 12 gauge "through and through". Still a very reasonable price. I will probably try this one.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10673&cookietest=1
Click to expand...

That definitely doesn't look like 12 gauge to me, especially when compared to the other one. I know you can't tell from the insulation, but you can to a point. Might want to check before purchase. Also, that mechanism looks like the kind on the "old fashioned" drop lights, etc. - you know the one that never worked right. It could be fine, but I'm just pointing out my gut feeling.
 
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RockMonkey

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bmwpower said:
That definitely doesn't look like 12 gauge to me, especially when compared to the other one. I know you can't tell from the insulation, but you can to a point. Might want to check before purchase. Also, that mechanism looks like the kind on the "old fashioned" drop lights, etc. - you know the one that never worked right. It could be fine, but I'm just pointing out my gut feeling.
Click to expand...

Click on the "reviews" tab, and read what people have to say.
 
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I have had the same thing except with the trouble light hanging in my garage for years and have never had a problem with it, I would say go for it. I think it looks better than those plastic jobs anyway!
 
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RockMonkey

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hholmberg said:
I have had the same thing except with the trouble light hanging in my garage for years and have never had a problem with it, I would say go for it. I think it looks better than those plastic jobs anyway!
Click to expand...

I like the looks of it too. The only thing I don't like about it is the short length. Where I want to hang it will not reach all corners of the garage. It will easily reach all the "shop" areas. The only corner it won't reach is only used for parking. I never work on anything over there, so I think it will be okay.
 
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I got one of these coxreels last year off e-bay brand new in the box for $102.98 rated at 20 amps with a 35' 12 gauge sjo cord. I'm not sure why the big deal is made about the above reel that had the 12 gauge main line and the 14 gauge short wire to the plug as all the cheep reels listed are only 15 amps anyway.

William
 

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RockMonkey

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agoogol

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Been a couple week ssince last post, whats the update here RockMonkey? I need to get one too, was waiting for your feedback on what you bought. 15a Good enough for most, or is 20A the way to go?
 
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RockMonkey

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I returned the Alemite one, and I'm going to order either the Rockler or the Bayco one this week. I really like the additional length of the Bayco, but I still might end up ordering the Rockler. I will update when I decide. Been a really busy couple weeks for me...
 
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RockMonkey

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I just ordered the Bayco reel from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F955HE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It really is a great price compared to what it sells for everywhere else. I chose the super slow (super free!) shipping, so it'll probably be here around Christmas. I'll post up my impressions when I get it. I liked the Rockler reel a little better, and would have ordered it in a second, if it were a little longer. I find myself ulling out the extension cord a lot to plug in my electric pressure washer in the driveway, and I think I can make the 50 foot reel work for that.
 
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RockMonkey

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Holy ****! Super Saver shipping really is slow! Got an email from Amazon today: "Delivery estimate: August 15, 2007 - August 31, 2007"

:wtf:

Good thing I'm not in a hurry...
 
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bmwpower

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RockMonkey said:
Holy ****! Super Saver shipping really is slow! Got an email from Amazon today: "Delivery estimate: August 15, 2007 - August 31, 2007"

:wtf:

Good thing I'm not in a hurry...
Click to expand...

I had a similar issue before, but it turned out to show up a couple of days later. It would appear that their backend system is not really accurate.
 
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Roospike

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RockMonkey said:
Holy ****! Super Saver shipping really is slow! Got an email from Amazon today: "Delivery estimate: August 15, 2007 - August 31, 2007"

:wtf:

Good thing I'm not in a hurry...
Click to expand...

Well , it does take a wile for the container ship to come back from China. :lol_hitti

Keep us posted on the new reel . :beer:
 
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RockMonkey

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Believe it or not, this just got here, 'bout 5 minutes ago. :wtf: It is a 12 gauge input cord, and the recoil action seems excellent. If only it weren't yellow, it would be perfect!
 
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RockMonkey

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So the total price including having someone walk it here from China, was $75.60. This seems like a great deal compared to comparable reels. I'll update after I've used it a bit and had a chance to find any problems.
 
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