How do you store your extension cords?

[Wingnut65]

I know a similar question has been asked before about cord storage (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53438) and it has been agreed by many that the best method of coiling an extesion cord is using the stagehand method (over - under - over - under . . .)

The quesion I am asking is once you have the cords coiled, what do you do with them? Where are they stored that they are easy to access and don't get tangled?

I am in the planning stages of my garge makeover and have found so many ideas here on GJ that its taking time to get the 15 pounds of ideas in my 10 pound garage. Currently, I use loops of string to hang my big cords on #12 screws thru the side of a cabinet using the pre-drilled holes. Its one of the ideas I got from my Dad. It works well, but I'm not convinced its the best.



There is also a box on the shelf to the right filled with the smaller cords. power strips and adapters. I even have a few plug adapters hanging in a zip lock bag with the cords. I like the idea of the velcro or other straps to hold the cords together when coiled. Right now, if the string comes loose and I can't catch it, its time to re-coil the cord.

In my garage makeover, I would like to get rid of as much clutter as possible and I think there has to be a better way to store cords that others here have done, I just haven't found them yet. In many GJ garages, I see cords hanging, but in other spotless garages, where are they? I guess the question should be "How did Jack do it?"

Any ideas could help me and give others ideas too.

jeff

(There from a '65 Split...)

 

[NUTTSGT]

I coil them like you did but I hang mine a bicycle hook screwed into the wall.

 

[FANTASY FACTORY]

Garden hose butlers.

 

[sixt8 berd]

I think I am going to get one of these once my garage is back together (currently epoxying the floor).

 

[sirsloop]

hand coiled and hung on a 4" slatwall hook

 

[warmpancakes]

add more outlets last garage was 1.5 car I was never more than 2 foot from a outlet

 

[Zrexxer]

Usually in a manner closely resembling this:

 

[Ray-CA]

I use something like this: http://www.lowes.com/pd_245744-50741-DHH1507PK_0_?productId=3065787&Ntt=hose&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntk=i_products$rpp=15$No=15$Ntt=hose$identifier=

Ray

 

[MotoDave]

I just bent up a couple of pieces of flat bar stock to form a wide U, and screwed one end to my wall. Works fine.

 

[MattT]

I keep extension cords, and welding leads, on shelf brackets. I put a nut and bolt on the front of the bracket to stop the cords falling off.

 

[hoopty388]

I put the shorter ones on those orange double ended fork things (ill try to fi
nd a pic)

the longer ones go on an old chrome rim I have screwed to the wall

 

[49tandc]

I get empty 5-gal plastic buckets from the grocery or deli - usually free (pickles, frosting, etc) and drill a hole in the side down toward the bottom. The hole has to be big enough to poke the MALE end of the extension cord through (from inside-out). I leave only about 2" of cord and the male plug exposed. then coil the remainder of the cord inside the bucket. It leaves the female end on top. You can easlily get 100' cords in a bucket & put the lid on. These buckets stack neatly as well. Mark each bucket w/sharpie as to contents (50' / 100' power; 50' air-hose, etc.) When you go to use it, carry the bucket to the nearest outlet and plug the male end in. Open the lid and begin walking toward the work area. The cord will uncoil (usually pretty smoothly).

I also store extra air-hoses in the buckets. Be sure to mark them too. If you have access to lots of buckets, you could color-code them (green for air hose, white for power) or something like that.

49T&C

 

[sixt8 berd]

I put the shorter ones on those orange double ended fork things (ill try to fi
nd a pic)

the longer ones go on an old chrome rim I have screwed to the wall

Like this?

 

[logical]

I've learned it's a lot less hassle to not coil them but instead basically "fold them" festoon style rather than in a closed loop. Not sure how to explain it but you basically hold the end in your left palm and then alternate draping a 2 foot length on either side of your palm so you are left holding an inverted "U" shaped bundle. It will then uncoil when you want to use it without being twisted.

Anyhow....I stumbled across an old set of 8" ATV wheels that I mounted to the wall to drap mine over.

 

[Walterchang]

Milk crates work really well. I use velcro straps that are like 16 inch long that I wrap around the coilied cords. I use the stage hand method.

 

[Wingnut65]

Wow, These are some great ideas. The garden hose wall rack would work great for the 100' cords and I hadn't thought about using an ATV rim for the smaller cords.

Usually in a manner closely resembling this:

Zrexxer, I had a condition like that when I grabbed for the bottom cord and all the ones on top hit the floor and uncoiled. Although there should be some therapy for that snake maze pile in the fridge. Won't solve the mess, but makes it more bearable...

Like this?

sixt8 berd, That looks great with a brand new cord. But, I'm not convinced it will roll up that easily after a year of abuse.

These ideas sure help.

jeff

 

[ZRX61]

I think I am going to get one of these once my garage is back together (currently epoxying the floor).

I have one of those with a 100ft cord in it, works great

 

[dirttracker18]

I have found that good quality cords always rool up well. the cheaper ones jsut seem to get stiffer with age and do not roll up well to start with. The good ones seem to remain pliable forever, except in the cold. Nothing works well in the cold!

 

[sixt8 berd]

I have one of those with a 100ft cord in it, works great

Glad to hear it. I have lots of outlets in my garage but I need something for in the driveway!

 

[hoopty388]

Yeah that's the orange thing

your right not real good for old large cords but I just use them for shorties



I like that bucket idea, I've got some 3 gl buckets that will be perfect

 

[twostory]

I have several cords, but they are different colors. I coil them up and hang them on the wall.

You can share hooks easily with different color cords.

Harbor Freight sell cheap, but nice hooks for a dollar or two.

 

[portcity]

anyway i can

 

[Strouty]

+1 on the bucket idea, I seem to remember that I forgot about someone telling me about that before.

Usually in a manner closely resembling this:

Isn't that one of those IQ puzzles you pay big bucks for at the gift shops?

 

[ahaidet]

I use several techniques based on the cords location, size, and what its used for.

First when I finished my garage I put in more outlets than most people thought I should (my father-in-law (in construction his whole life) thought I was nuts..) I have an outlet within reach every 4-6 feet.

Because some tools come with very short cords I purchased several 8 foot 12gauge "work shop" cords as they are called. I tie them up with these velcro wire ties:

I have 2 of these cords stored like this that I keep with my corded power tools.


I have a 50 foot 12 gauge cord that I keep in one of these:

I picked it up at Lowes. I used it alot more before I finished my garage but really has not been used since. It is fairly heavy duty and does a nice job. I used to use it with bigger tools like the welder and the table saw but it really is not rated for that... it can hold 12 gauge extension cords which is what my welder calls for but the plugs on it are only rated to 15 Amps I believe. It has a breaker built in that would trip fairly regularly when using the table saw. So I looked into what it was rated for and and stopped using it for the bigger tools.


I have a 25 foot 10 gauge cord that I use for more heavy duty tools now. I keep it wound up and held in place with a giant carabiner I got at Home Depot.

I hang it off a hook on the wall. I also use the carabiners for some shorter air hoses.

Finally one of my favorites is my Wonder Winder. I keep this in the attached to the house garage as opposed to the others which are kept in the working garage.

I use it a lot for my electric leaf blower. I keep it filled with a 100 foot 14 gauge. It is super handy for the leaf blower because it does not self retract like a lot of cord reels which would be irritating with the leaf blower. I got it at Amazon.com for like $17 a few months ago on sale.

I used to keep the cord for the leaf blower wound up on one of these:

But it was ruining the cord. Every time I wound the cord on it the cord would twist. The Wonder Winder does not twist the cord like this was doing. Plus as I use the leaf blower I can just keep walking and the cord follows me without having to unwind it. Almost takes away the disadvantage of an electric leaf blower as the cord is no longer such a hassle.


Finally I have a few of these that I store spare extension cords for our Christmas lights. Since they get wound and unwound once a year they work well and are cheap.

With all these options I would say 90% of the time I am using either the short 8 footers in the garage or the Wonder Winder for stuff outside the garage.

 

[sixt8 berd]

anyway i can

Wow! Are you Clark Griswold by chance??

 

[hoopty388]

hey portcity

the last time I saw that many extension cords, the neighbors wanted to "borrow" some power because there's got pulled



holy cow that's alot

 

[portcity]

ive only got a little over ten miles worth. thats my largest tool expense

 

[evintho]

Hang 'em off a gun rack.

 

[crewchief888]

the couple cords i use all the time in the garage are usually laying where i left them, couple more are hanging on large L shaped hooks.
the rest of them (1200 ft or so) that get used for halloween props and Xmas lighting i keep in a couple of storage totes in the basement, that way they stay where i know where they are.

 

[Dragster Racer]

I like the gun rack. I'm gonna try that.

 

[Photo]

ive only got a little over ten miles worth. thats my largest tool expense

OK, I just have to ask: Why do you need 10 miles of extension cord?

Lane

 

[Wingnut65]

That gun rack idea is clever. A couple side by side and I'd be set.

 

[portcity]

christmas light animation

 

[babzog]

Much like you do, except I hang 'em under the power panel - useless space, otherwise.

 

[e-tek]

I hang em everywhere. Lots from my tool box with bungees, some from nails, some from "bike" hooks....I also keep one 6 foot cord at (almost) every outlet, becuase it's alwasy needed and saved a few steps.

 

[Torque1st]

Take a regular old wire hanger that is all bent and funky. Stretch it out so that it is just a hook with a long loop under it. Bend the long loop into a "J" and hang or coil the cord on it. Find a hook or a closet rod and hang the whole thing with the "hanger" hook. Old lightweight hangers work well for the smaller cords. Some of those 100' cords or 12AWG cords require a more HD wire hanger. Sorry about the crude drawing but it may help get the idea.

 

[GTO]

In a large milk crate.

 

[z28toz06]

Garden hose butlers.

/i have several of these also. use them for my ext cords, air hose and vacuum hose extensions. Oh yeah, my garden hose too!

 

[trashauler]

christmas light animation

Post a pic up of your house lit up!

 

[sixt8 berd]

christmas light animation

You are Clark Griswold!!!