Storage for wire spools

[Grant Gunderson]

Hey guys, I have quite a few spools of various sizes of wire that I have been keeping on a shelf, but thats gotten to the point where its not very efficient or convenient. Plus its a ******** mess.

You guys have any recommendations or ideas for storing them in a much more compact / efficient method? Perhaps keeping the smaller ones inside a systainer?

 

[toyotadriver]

I'm going to order this one eventually to store/use wire.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EF87F5G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kbeefy]

I had a single stack version of that that hung on the wall, worked ok but took a fair amount of space.
I have previously build a 'caddy' that was like a lunchbox with about 8 rolls in it that fed from either side and was portable.

Now I just have them hanging on the wall, which is about the least efficient way of doing it.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Anyone have any other clever or neat solutions?

 

[APEowner]

I'm going to order this one eventually to store/use wire.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EF87F5G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I had one of those and hated it. It was fine when in use but changing the spools took more time than it ever saved.

I just store wire in Rubbermaid tubs. Sorted by gauge.

It's not glamorous but it works for me.

 

[charbar]

I have yet to find a decent way to keep spools organized. My last idea was to keep them on pieces of scrap 1/2" conduit that hung off the wall. Was fine if you just needed to pull a few feet off a roll and cut it. But then when you needed a spool you had to take six others off to get it.

Right now they are in cabinets, sorted by gauge. Of course you can never see anything behind the first row without moving **** around.

It would take up quite a bit of wall length, but what about a shelf that is only as deep as your spools (this way your not hiding spools behind others and you can see what you have with a quick glance), then with wooden dowels or something only as long as the spool sticking straight up. That way you can grab the whole spool right off the top of the peg, or grab the end of the wire and pull of x amount of wire off without making a mess. I think I'll try this now that I have the idea in my head. Actually probably make the vertices dowels taller so I can have 2 or 3 spools of the same wire color and gauge on one dowel. New spools on the bottom, the non full spool at the top, easy to grab and go with.

Make sense?

 

[tarmy]

I use this. It fit across the top of the in ground vaults so I can pull wire as needed solo. Move around the shop well too. My problem is that I have a lot more rolls and sizes that are not on this…so I need to switch out spools depending on what is being used…’

 

[sparky 1971]

I go through wire fast enough that storage isn't a concern. However, there are the oddball sizes that get used once in a blue moon. I keep those on a shelf but have considered running 1/2" emt or some type or rod through them and storing them on hooks from the ceiling.

https://www.menards.com/main/storage-organization/garage-outdoor-storage/ceiling-storage/storage-shop-reg-22-5-8w-x-12h-ceiling-storage-hook/81844/p-1449506425778-c-12656.htm?tid=-2437464250804826772&ipos=4

 

[engineer2]

We had a discussion on this a few weeks ago, but it was geared towards wire carts.

Wiring Cart

Looking for ideas for a wiring cart. Something that can hold spools of wire and has storage for connectors and anything wiring. Post some pics if you have a slick setup

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I ended up making a spool holder to fit inside of a #3 systainer using baltic birch, some ⅜ all thread and some threaded inserts for the ply. I drilled a set f two holes for each of the spools in the top cross member and pulled the wire up through it and tucked the loose end into the second hole.

 

[ATC]

My last idea was to keep them on pieces of scrap 1/2" conduit that hung off the wall. Was fine if you just needed to pull a few feet off a roll and cut it. But then when you needed a spool you had to take six others off to get it.

That's how I have mine. A piece of all-thread screwed across a couple wall studs, with the spools between the studs. I only have a few spools, so it works good for me.