Best retractable cord mount....

[iibgdi]

Hoping to stay under $200. I have a 1700 ft² shop with three bays. It used to actually be a service garage And I can't believe there's not one in here already.

I will probably start my own small garage in a few years. (Not me, I don't know **** about fixing cars, I'll be hiring a mechanic)

So I would like something really durable that I don't have to replace anytime soon.

I was actually surprised going through the first two or three pages that there isn't already a thread on this. I'm sure there is but I can't get the search function to work on my phone.

Extra bonus points for a link and pricing!

Go!

 

[Git]

Most of these internet forums don't have a very good search function. Google is usually easier/better

Type 'retractable cord mount' in this Search Link:
https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=009259244668248463910:ypqyiw6zigc

 

[aggie113]

Coxreel and Reelcraft are pro level. You can't both have "the best" and also have a low price expectation.

 

[Jon_E]

I'm shopping for one myself. Probably going to buy a Flexzilla reel and cord.

 

[zippyslug31]

Anybody have experience with the Harbor Freight offerings? Seems like they have a few at different price points.
Is it fair to assume "you get what you pay for" can be applied to those reels?

 

[Jking24]

Anybody have experience with the Harbor Freight offerings? Seems like they have a few at different price points.
Is it fair to assume "you get what you pay for" can be applied to those reels?

Probably their cords in the tools tend to be junk but i have a 10ga 50ft extension chord i bought their when i was in a bind on vacation and it's actually held up really well i have zero complaints with it after three years

 

[Buildgoodwin]

You can use Google to be the search function on any site. Type the search phrase followed by site: and the site address. No space after ther :.

Adam

 

[Buildgoodwin]

The Reelcraft L 70100 123 3 at $715 is stupid expensive, but certainly should last. I would link to it, but I cannot until I post 3 more times after this.

Adam

 

[gunguy]

I have an old HF retractable drop light. It's no longer in the catalog but is similar to the retractable drop cord that still is.

The internal cord stop broke about a year after I purchased it so I use the external cord stop that's on the cord. The wind-up spring still works fine so the drop light is still in service. It's a bit of a neuisance to slide the stop up to the reel after I pull the cord out, but it's just a home garage and it works for me. Oh yeah, the drop light is about 10 years old.

Jim

 

[BearsFan315]

"best" is a relative term
you will find what works best for whomever post the response

i have been looking at them and yet to pull the trigger. i am not sure wall mount or ceiling mount in the center of the 2 bays. prefer a single outlet on the end for management, can throw on a multiway if needed.

i do like my Flexilla air hose, and have looked at their power cords as well. 50ft would be more that enough for my garage. not worried about color of cord or reel. need it to work and last a while.

 

[Dig Doug]

I have 2 craftsman cord reels and they are Kind of cheap - Cord is only 25 ft. I basically use them for battery tenders while stuff is stored. Most of my tools are cordless.

I would rather have a ton of outlets and use short cords all on separate circuits

than 1 bad *** Cord drop

 

[MAYOR28]

Not ReelWorks.

Spend your money elsewhere.

I had this product in operation for only a few months (occasional use, not commercial) before the built in circuit breaker failed. Unfortunately, my reel is mounted to the ceiling (15'+), and is extremely difficult to access in it current position. I was able to reset the breaker once, but the second time it tripped, it would not reset. At the time, I had been using a Craftsman Table Saw ( 1 HP rated) which is well under the stated 15Amp max current draw of the saw.

As of October 10th, 2020: I contacted Great Circle Tools (maker/importer of the ReelWorks Brand), which offered to replace my unit with a refurbished unit, but nearly 1.5 months into the process, I have yet to receive a replacement. And I had to send them my unit first. If and when I receive a new reel, I will update my review to reflect.

 

[scdealer]

I have an old HF retractable drop light. It's no longer in the catalog but is similar to the retractable drop cord that still is.

The internal cord stop broke about a year after I purchased it so I use the external cord stop that's on the cord. The wind-up spring still works fine so the drop light is still in service. It's a bit of a neuisance to slide the stop up to the reel after I pull the cord out, but it's just a home garage and it works for me. Oh yeah, the drop light is about 10 years old.

Jim

Just put a small spring clamp on the cord and use that when you pull it out.

 

[Git]

I had always heard 'good things' about Hubbel, so 5 years ago when I saw this $300 Hubbel reel on sale in Amazon Warehouse for $75 I bought it. At the time there were no ratings but I do agree with the current 1 star ratings....

The housing is all plastic! A couple of months ago, I needed to run about 30 feet of line out and when I was doing so, the reel started to make some terrible noises and would no longer retract the cable.

I took it apart and found out the plastic case has some raised 'ridges' that are used to keep the spring anchored - all of these ridges were now sheared off and the spring didn't work. I was able to fix it by screwing in a metal plate, but it was very disappointing

 

[tdkkart]

Every time the retractable cord or hose question comes up, several people jump up and yell "REELCRAFT!!!". Recently I had the opportunity to get hold of several of them due to our downsizing at work, but I passed on all of them mostly due to my crappy experiences with them. They just don't work all that well when you need them to, more of a hassle than a convenience.
I have a manual retracting hose reel at home on the wall, works every single time.

 

[TS3g]

Every time the retractable cord or hose question comes up, several people jump up and yell "REELCRAFT!!!". Recently I had the opportunity to get hold of several of them due to our downsizing at work, but I passed on all of them mostly due to my crappy experiences with them. They just don't work all that well when you need them to, more of a hassle than a convenience.
I have a manual retracting hose reel at home on the wall, works every single time.

I second passing on Reelcraft. My work has hundreds of them (air and electrical) and my experience is the same. Every one of them that I've used failed to lock out easily.

 

[Norcal]

You asked for the best, Appleton Reelite, but you will choke and **** your pants at the price, 'cause ain't getting one new for $200.

 

[HenryAZ]

Most of the ones I saw reviewed in the "under $200" price range had the same complaint about retracting the cord. That is, there is no provision to spread the cord wind across the reel when retracting, and you have to mostly hand feed them as they retract, to prevent their bunching up on one side of the reel.

 

[matt_i]

Woodhead/Molex/Brad Harrison makes a nice cord reel.

One of their best products is the double-sided outlet box. photos don't show it but there's duplex on each side of the yellow box. Handy when you want to plug in multiple tools and only use 1 at a time. Less bulky than a 4" square steel box.

https://woodheadsales.com/pdfs/multiple outlet boxes 902.pdf

 

[Smittybert]

We have a couple flexizlla ones in our shop (business) used daily and works great.
The air reals sucked as they would never roll up nicely

 

[aggie113]

While I can't speak to longevity at this point, I've had no issues with my Coxreel. I got it for sale on Amazon but it was still over $300 for the unit.