I'm in need of a Retachable cord reel

Djstorm100 · Oct 28, 2014

I'm in need of a dependable cord reel to replace my HD model. I do not like the fact it does not have it's on circuit breaker.

The one I have now 75% of the post say how it smokes (over load) or short circuits because of the leads breaking inside the unit. I was 30 bucks so no big lost.
See here: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bayco-30...ractable-Reel-with-3-Outlets-FL-800/202195558

I would like to have one that is the same body style with the loop at the top. I already have a mount on my garage door opener that is screwed in to the truss. I then use a quick link screw.

Djstorm100 · Oct 28, 2014

Seems like this Craftsman Professional could fit the bill? Anyone use one and if so how is it holding up?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-30-ft-cord-reel/p-03483929000P

mikewoods · Oct 28, 2014

I have this: http://www.harborfreight.com/30-ft-retractable-cord-reel-66832.html

The price seems a little steep, but if you can wait until it goes on sale, then use a 25% off coupon the price can't be beat.

Djstorm100 · Oct 28, 2014

Thanks!

The only issue I have with it is the gauge size and no circuit breaker or protection. I would like to have a 15 amp with circuit breaker so I don't run the risk of burning down the house since the circuit the plug is on is 15 amp. If that makes sense?

gungatim · Oct 28, 2014

I have 3 or 4 of the older style red craftsman ones but don't care for them, cheap vinyl cords get stiff and weak rewind spring...I upgraded to the larger 40" blue and yellow HF version, it is larger and much longer, better quality cable, with 3 outlets on the end. a bit more $ (currently $80 on sale - 20% off = $64, but I paid $59 a few yrs. ago) but well worth it IMO. I never cared for the loop on the top anyway...

paranoid56 · Oct 28, 2014

i have the CM pro one and i hate it. the 3 outlet end *****. after just a few months of garage use plugs dont stay plugged in anymore. i need to cut the end off and just install a proper outlet box to fix it.

Conductor562 · Oct 28, 2014

I have a HF model that's going on 5 years of daily use without issue.

My dad bought one at HF last year and it looks identical to the one you linked & HD

Djstorm100 · Oct 28, 2014

gungatim said:
I have 3 or 4 of the older style red craftsman ones but don't care for them, cheap vinyl cords get stiff and weak rewind spring...I upgraded to the larger 40" blue and yellow HF version, it is larger and much longer, better quality cable, with 3 outlets on the end. a bit more $ (currently $80 on sale - 20% off = $64, but I paid $59 a few yrs. ago) but well worth it IMO. I never cared for the loop on the top anyway...

This one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/40-ft-retractable-cord-reel-with-triple-tap-91470.html

How has it faired over the years?

ryolse · Oct 28, 2014

I have this one and have been using it fairly often at home for a year now with no issues. Retracts great, gauge has been good for my power tools such as grinders, drills and circular saws... once tried my Lincoln 125hd welder with it and the welds weren't all that great but it didn't overheat.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Tasco-Prof...-Tri-Tap-Connector-HD-LPR-050-14PB/100661719/

Slednut · Oct 28, 2014

ryolse said:
I have this one and have been using it fairly often at home for a year now with no issues. Retracts great, gauge has been good for my power tools such as grinders, drills and circular saws... once tried my Lincoln 125hd welder with it and the welds weren't all that great but it didn't overheat.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Tasco-Prof...-Tri-Tap-Connector-HD-LPR-050-14PB/100661719/

I also have one, I have tripped the circuit breaker (too many tools at once), I really like it. The swivel mount is great.

FoxDen · Oct 28, 2014

I am a big fan of Zilla hoses and cords. I have this one in my garage and it works great. http://www.menards.com/main/electrical/electrical-cords-outlet-adapters/extension-cords/zillareel-trade-50-ft-retractable-extension-cord-reel/p-1969024-c-6410.htm

psychob0b1977 · Oct 28, 2014

i have that craftsman pro unit, i have had it going on 15 years. no complaints. it isn't heavily used though.

sberry · Oct 28, 2014

I would be interested in how there is no breaker in that reel. I have one and its great. This is a new one, a clone of mine but its handy and have left the factory outlet alone as it lasted a long time and I aint fukkin with it.
There are people that really try to weld from the trouble light cord but its the kind of thing an operator is usually involved with, pull it out, use, put away. If I used corded drills that would be great but mine is for the 4 1/2 grinder, 30 ft really makes it nice in the place I use it at.
I have a bracket and move it to the outside in summer and back in on the bench in the winter. The ********* wire is a welding ground cable and clamp that is hooked to the bench for plasma cutting and stick welding.
It looks like that cheap ne for 29 is the same as HF for 44 and they make a lot of these world wide, I bet they work pretty well.
Even though they are cheap they had a lot of time to fuk with the design. Mine has 3 ft cord and the coating has lasted beyond expectation. Rubber cords on power tools are a gimmick for sales, the modern vynal outlasts it by a long shot.

coljar · Oct 28, 2014

I have 4 Saf-T-Lite cord reels made by General Manufacturing and they are made in the USA. They work great and I ordered them on line.

sberry · Oct 28, 2014

I see the Cman claims 14 wire and breaker, this makes it like a power strip. The multiple is nice for 2 grinder or 2 drill. But we use 16 cord on about everything. Stationary tools have their own outlets and its either a grinder or light battery charger and only occasionally a circ saw to zing a light board off. We got air everywhere and battery drill. circ, sawzall, lights.
Havnt built a big long project in some time to need the heavy cords, been years since I connected to one. Just don't need heavy remote chop saws or air comps.

bob from indiana · Oct 28, 2014

We have some Woodhead reels at work and they are JUNK. They have very poor
ends that cords will not stay plugged into. Our old reels came from Mcmaster-Carr and were good units.

Steevo · Oct 28, 2014

What about . . . . .

. . . . . . . Robo Reel?

:lol_hitti

youwish2bme · Oct 28, 2014

Dustin,

I just put one in at a Customer that is heavy guage that I got from Grainger here in Raleigh. I think that it was about $300...

http://www.grainger.com/product/LUMAPRO-Cord-Reel-2YKT7?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP

Okay it was almost $400...

Hitch

youwish2bme · Oct 28, 2014

On further thought why are you needing a cord reel to carry so much current? The one that I spec'd above was to handle a 15-20A load for charging a JLG Scissor lift....

Hitch

Djstorm100 · Oct 28, 2014

I have not found a 10amp with a built in breaker. I'm more familiar with DC and not AC, even though the same principles apply. For a few more bones I could have a 15 amp unit that is the same capacity as my breaker at the panel. So for whatever reason if a short happen the breaker will trip. I had a situation last night where I was using the deemed and smelled something burning and the tell was smoking. I had painted it (shell) earlier in the evening.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

8comm13 · Oct 28, 2014

Steevo said:
What about . . . . .

. . . . . . . Robo Reel?

LOL!

gungatim · Oct 29, 2014

Djstorm100 said:
This one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/40-ft-retractable-cord-reel-with-triple-tap-91470.html

How has it faired over the years?

yes that is the one. faired very well, it's mounted next to my back door so it can reach to the front of my shop, or out the door as well. no issues whatsoever.

NUTTSGT · Oct 29, 2014

Djstorm100 said:
Seems like this Craftsman Professional could fit the bill? Anyone use one and if so how is it holding up?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-30-ft-cord-reel/p-03483929000P

I was looking to buy one a while back and Mom stopped by to show me what she bought me step-dad fro Christmas and asked what I thought about it. I started laughing and told her I was thinking about buying one of them. She said that would make shopping easy for me, she went back and bought me one too.

I have it hanging over my work table for when I need to plug something in. It gets used but not everyday. I'm happy with it and have had no issues with it so far.

ryolse · Oct 29, 2014

Slednut said:
I also have one, I have tripped the circuit breaker (too many tools at once), I really like it. The swivel mount is great.

I guess I'm just not talented enough to work 3 tools at once. Mine is hanging from the ceiling so the swivel option doesn't get used too much. While I've never tripped a breaker with it yet, it would be nice if it had it's own.

aem752006 · Oct 29, 2014

I also have had good luck and really like Zilla cord reel and hoses. I have the reel ran on a switched circuit that way it gets turned off when not in use because of the attic install.

ARCTIC_RAGTOP · Oct 30, 2014

aem - I like the attic install. I'll be banking that one for future use. Very nicely done.

thickhead · Oct 30, 2014

+1 aem! I will be trying to make that work for my garage for sure.

jarhead · Oct 30, 2014

I have two of these bought from home depot several years ago. They have breakers built in.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100661719?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&N=5yc1vZ1xr5Z1z13no5&R=100661719

FoxDen · Nov 12, 2014

Nice work AEM. I also use their garden hoses and they work great too.

bshusted · Nov 13, 2014

I have the Craftsman Pro one, but my cord/outlets are black. The yellow seems a bit obnoxious. I have no complaints. Mine does have a built in breaker, though I've never tripped it. I bought it on sale at Sears bundled with a fluorescent work light. Regular use for 2 years and no complaints.

gahrajmahal · Nov 13, 2014

I like the wonder winder. Hand powered and uses a standard extension cord.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...OInGsGYRl_4TkzoXkHi3n6tNJEtQlWRXsEaAjhN8P8HAQ

fnieto · Nov 13, 2014

I picked these 20 Amp 12 ga 50' (three of them new in box) for $199 free shipping. They are on a independent circuit.
American made reels retails for 600-800 bucks. If you shop around you can find a reliable safe cord reel.

mikec35 · Nov 13, 2014

Here's a 15amp 12/3 cord reel on sale for $59.99 at Northern. Coupon code 192919 good until 12/31/14 gives you another $10 off.

John in OH · Nov 13, 2014

I did a rather extensive search for cord reels a year or so ago and, if you are interested, can follow that search, see lots of pics, read more opinions, and the final selection in the following thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189733

I ended up buying two of the Craftsman Pro reels and a Reelcraft unit. So far, the Cman reels have been fine, but they don't get much use so long-term reliability is still an open question. I expected the expensive Reelcraft unit to be good and I have not been disappointed.

Quick comparison of the Craftsman Pro vs. the Reelcraft L4545-123-3:

Amp Rating - Cman, 13a ; RC, 15a
Extension cord - Cman, 30’ of 14/3 ; RC, 45’ of 12/3
Extension cord end - Cman, tri-plug ; RC, single plug
Extension cord guides - Cman, none ; RC, four rollers
Protection - Cman, circuit breaker in tri-plug ; RC, none
Primary cord - Cman, 2’ of 14/3 ; RC, 4’ of 12/3
Reel mount - Cman, single-point, semi-swivel ; RC, solid bolted mount
Country of origin - Cman, China ; RC, USA
Price - Cman, $50 ; RC, $290

I really like the look and feel of the solid mount Reelcraft, but at nearly 6x the cost of a Cman, it’s pretty hard to justify for a home shop. It really burns me that no one makes a simple Cman-type reel in the US as I’d gladly pay more for a Cman-type reel if it were US-made (as witnessed by my willingness to spend $290 on a US-made Reelcraft).

aka Larry · Nov 13, 2014

I can't believe I'm the first to say it, but what the hell is a 'retachable' cord reel? Is it like a 'radio arm saw'?

Nam11b · Nov 13, 2014

aem752006 said:
I also have had good luck and really like Zilla cord reel and hoses. I have the reel ran on a switched circuit that way it gets turned off when not in use because of the attic install.

The attic install looks awesome, filing that idea away for later.

shooting4life · Nov 17, 2014

Check craigs list, I picked this up for $100

I'm in need of a Retachable cord reel

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