Retractable extension cord ?

[BillK]

Hey guys. I am thinking about getting one of these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwi...e-Cord-Reel-with-Locking-Plug-48004/205998395

Curious if anyone has one that can give a review. Or another brand ? Do not really want multiple outlets on the end. One is enough. 30 ft will reach anywhere in my garage and far enough outside to run a vacuum or small tire compressor in the driveway if I need to. Plan on mounting it right inside the garage door up near the ceiling.

 

[ford33]

It's 14 gauge wire at 30 feet long for $70. They don't list a maximum amperage allowed for this model. A comparable model from Woods lists 10 amp maximum. I think you can find a 12 gauge model for just a bit more money.

A 14 gauge is better than a cheap 16 gauge reel but is limited to small electrical items and not for machinery. Of course, someone will say they run their 2 HP table saw off such a reel but in fact they are damaging their motors over time and and exceeding the capacity of the wires. A small contractor table saw draws 15 amps.

A quick check of Shop Vac models shows a "6-HP" model draws 8.75 amps with a 12 foot cord.

A small air compressor for a pneumatic nailer is 10 amps so your at the maximum amperage.

Don't expect to run your tablesaw an electric heater or large compressor off such a reel.

 

[ford33]

Here's a 15 amp model for $2 more.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JQAVFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have a couple of these Cordomatics with lights, a modern LED bulb leaves all the plug amps free for power, and wont singe your elbow. They also come with just a plug on the end, or even a clothesline.

 

[BillK]

Here's a 15 amp model for $2 more.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JQAVFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That one is only 20Ft I want 30 at least.

 

[BillK]

I have a couple of these Cordomatics with lights, a modern LED bulb leaves all the plug amps free for power, and wont singe your elbow. They also come with just a plug on the end, or even a clothesline.

I have a similar one in my detached garage. I really hate using it as an extension cord.

 

[ishiboo]

I have 3 of the Flexzillas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FI0MXSE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They’ve been great. Menards has had them on Black Friday for like $60 I want to say?

 

[4xdog]

These seem kind of hokey, but if one has the right space to mount it, they can really work quite well.

Wonder Winder hand crank extension cord reeler.
http://green-leaf.us/product/wonder-winder-cord-reeler/

 

[bimmer1980]

I have an Appleton cord reel in my garage. I got it on craigslist for $15. It is very heavy duty.

I also bought a second one for another area of the garage, but have not hung it yet. I think I paid about $60 or $70 on ebay.

The Southwire that you are looking at seemed reasonable. As others have mentioned, be aware of the total current load you can reasonable run on it.

Make sure you do a solid mount for the reel.

I love having mine! Makes coiling up the extension cord a non-event.... I'm not a fan of cleaning up, so this makes it a lot easier....

 

[BillK]

The Flexzilla looks nice but I actually hate the three plugs on the end. Too bulky ? I suppose i could replace the plug assembly with a single one. Its 50 ft also which would be nice but not a necessity.

As far as the load goes I have a 16 ga extension cord I use now and dont have a problem so the 14 would just be a plus.

 

[pancho400cid]

I put the one linked below in my garage a few months ago. Wish I would have done it years ago. It's not industrial duty metal or anything unfortunately, but it works like a champ. I was pleasantly surprised.

Cold-weather flexibility is not a big issue around here so not sure about that aspect.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660257_200660257

 

[BillK]

I put the one linked below in my garage a few months ago. Wish I would have done it years ago. It's not industrial duty metal or anything unfortunately, but it works like a champ. I was pleasantly surprised.

Cold-weather flexibility is not a big issue around here so not sure about that aspect.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660257_200660257

That one is nice and its 12ga too. I am putting it on the short list.

Am I the only one that thinks the three outlet end piece is a waste of time and too bulky ?

 

[justsam]

I too am not a fan of the oversized three receptacles, but would not be a show stopper for me. What would be a show stopper is if any lack the lighted end. I need to know if I have power out to the end of the cord!

 

[gungatim]

I have 3 or 4 of the craftstman round ones with trouble light. hate them but they were cheap. don't recoil well and stiff when cold. (the red/black models) the yellow/black model is a little nicer but they all blow the breaker regularly if you try and run anything off them but a small drill.

I also have the blue/yellow HF larger one which I love, had it for about 10 yrs. now so not sure they still have the same supplier.

which I see they obviously don't. https://www.harborfreight.com/40-ft-retractable-cord-reel-with-triple-tap-62952.html

 

[pancho400cid]

Am I the only one that thinks the three outlet end piece is a waste of time and too bulky ?

I didn't give it much thought when I bought it, but it is a little bulky. OTOH you can easily run a drill etc. and a drop light so I found that handy a couple of times working out in the driveway.

 

[ishiboo]

Sometimes the three-way comes in handy, other times its a burden. Most of the time its not a big deal.

I might be loosing mine though. My plan is to mount my Flexzilla reels above the garage ceiling, and then use a cord reel guide mounted on the ceiling to bring them through. So all you would see is about 2' of cord hanging down I can grab and take wherever I need it.

I will either need to cut the end off and put my own on, or make my own guide that can be assembled around a finished cord.

 

[sberry]

I dont care for 3 end. My neighbor uses most of his shop stuff from a heavy one, I have the hf version or 2 mainly for a grinder and I like it.