Extension cord reels

[brothernov]

What's the best one out there if my budget is in the $200 neighborhood? I've spent a few hours reading, and this one is in first place right now:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GFA35TG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't have a ton of confidence in this pick, What's goodyear doing making extension cords? I'm hoping you guys have some experience/insight that will steer to something even better.

 

[IndyGarage]

Just do a search on Garage Journal on Roboreel - get a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy the ride...

 

[jalind]

I have quit using reels and hand coil cords now. Even a reel will imprint a coil memory into the cord. Eventually when it's unreeled, there will be some coils laying out. There is a technique to coiling by hand that prevents imprinting a cord with a memory. Most who coil by hand twist the cord up which is worse than using a reel and cranking it up.

I learned the "over and under" method from a roadie who had hand coiled the long "snake" used to get the audio from a stage to the sound board in back for years. Once practiced a bit you can do this as fast as reeling by hand using a reel with a crank. Note in the YouTube video below that when he throws it out it is straight and not tangled or looped . I put a velcro cable tie at the plug end, secure the coiled extension cord with it and either hang the coil on a long hook on the wall, or lay it flat on a shelf. Roadies and film crews have been using this method for eons and you can't learn it by watching them on the job as it looks like a blur. Once coiled like this a dozen times (or less) an extension cord will lay out flat unless it's very cold an the cord has the old type vinyl covering that stiffens when it's cold.

Good YouTube tutorial on this method.

Also, do not coil an electrical cord like a rope, which is a different technique. Rope doesn't care but electrical cords do. It's very hard on the wires inside electrical cord.

John

 

[GTO]

I would look @ the Legacy Flexzilla Zilla Reel.
That Goodyear model from Amazon looks very much like the Flexzilla reels,I have two of the HF reels,don't buy one if it is used everyday.
I have found the Flexzilla reels on ebay for $95 or so.

 

[rlitman]

I have quit using reels and hand coil cords now. Even a reel will imprint a coil memory into the cord. Eventually when it's unreeled, there will be some coils laying out...

That depends on the cord. If you're talking about a thermoplastic cord, then yeah, they have a memory, and it's especially bad in the cold. But TPE doesn't have the same issue.

A few years ago, I bought an OLD cord reel on CL. The reel was a mechanical beauty that will last forever, but the cord was shot. I re-spooled it with this cold weather extension cord, and have had no memory issues:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HWRSAY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tarbellb]

Can't buy one new for <$200, but they are on eBay often for that price.

Top quality, will out last you, Daniel Woodhead products.