Watch Out for ReelWorks Extension Cords

[MAYOR28]

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.

 

[MAYOR28]

So, anyone have a recommendation for a better extension cord reel?

I like the 12AWG and 15A rating of the ReelWorks one, but something with a little better electrical quality would be good.

 

[yeldogt]

It seems you either go big with those or you have to be careful with what is plugged in.

 

[BombShelter]

I'm not an electrician but I use all kinds of powered equipment. I learned a long time ago to use the shortest length cord possible and the thickest I could find. I can almost guarantee you'll continue to have issues with that type of set-up and your table saw, those little breakers don't like the big saw's power-up.

 

[southalabama]

I went with a reelcraft from zoro with a 20 percent off.

 

[sberry]

Does it have a 12? Not sure why its needed if it does. If its a lighter than 12 it needs it with that 3 way recept on it.

 

[nafterclifen]

I've been using the Ironton version from Northern Tool since 2017 without a single issue. It's not used daily, sometimes not even weekly. Have never had it trip and I've had a variety of things plugged into it - air compressors, power washers, circular saws, etc. Of course not all at the same time. FWIW, I have it plugged into a dedicated 20a circuit.

 

[nadogail]

Thanks to the OP for the "Heads Up" warning.

 

[MAYOR28]

Funnily enough, these are on a Prime Day Deal for <$70.

 

[MAYOR28]

Does it have a 12? Not sure why its needed if it does. If its a lighter than 12 it needs it with that 3 way recept on it.

It is advertised as 12AWG, and the cord is pretty stout. I didn't cut it open, but it didn't make me doubt the rating.

 

[Iowafox]

I think one of the best ones on the market would be from Flexzilla https://www.flexzilla.com/power/
I have heard really good things about them and personal use there great!. That and my brother inlaw works at the company that makes them Legacy manufacturing and he says that is all he uses now.

 

[pepi]

I've been using the Ironton version from Northern Tool since 2017 without a single issue. It's not used daily, sometimes not even weekly. Have never had it trip and I've had a variety of things plugged into it - air compressors, power washers, circular saws, etc. Of course not all at the same time. FWIW, I have it plugged into a dedicated 20a circuit.

That looks good, have one like the OP posted, ***** it never winds back. You need to feed the cord in, even then is get jammed cause of the way is coils up.

Thanks for posting, going to give it a try.

 

[sberry]

You never know whether they use similar parts on all the models, even the same design, who built it, none of that. A common power strip has 14 wire and a thermal rset. A direct plug in 3 way does not, its designed to pass thru 20A. A cord with 12 and a 3 way on the end doesnt need a breaker. I really am not sure why its there in this case. Maybe to protect the slips but that would mean that is under designed.

 

[4xdog]

I was in a similar situation.

My ME/EE brother recommended, and helped me rewire the entire garage. Now there are 20A wall outlets in most places where I need a device plugged in. Almost no extension cords now, and no trips.

It's not a trivial project, but is the solution to your problem something other than a better extension cord?

 

[sberry]

I dont click on a lot of links but was curious about the reel, the Flex has a breaker with the triple but its on a 14 cord.

 

[pancho400cid]

I've been using the Ironton version from Northern Tool

Ditto - no problems - Although at first glance I thought that's what the OP had - It looks almost identical.

I have never run a table saw off mine. I HAVE run a circular saw many times, but that is a lower load.


...

 

[MAYOR28]

I was in a similar situation.

My ME/EE brother recommended, and helped me rewire the entire garage. Now there are 20A wall outlets in most places where I need a device plugged in. Almost no extension cords now, and no trips.

It's not a trivial project, but is the solution to your problem something other than a better extension cord?

I put in a ton of 20A receptacles as well, but I did not put one in the floor. The tablesaw is in the middle of the second bay, so pulling down the cord and plugging it in when I need to use it made the most sense. I really don't want to have a permanent cord on the ground, but perhaps that is what I need to do.

 

[MAYOR28]

UPDATE FROM Great Circle (Makers of ReelWorks):

I called today and spoke to them for the first time (waited on hold forever). The Tech Support guy I have been emailing actually answered the phone. He said they did not have any more units in stock to send out a replacement, to which I informed him that they must, since Amazon had just run them on a Prime Day Special yesterday for <$70!

He put me on hold and then told me Amazon would be fullfilling a replacement order for me. We shall see......if/when it shows up.

...

 

[PoorOwner]

It seems to me you should be able replace something like that for $1. I just don't know what this kind of pop up breaker is called. I would take it apart and see if you can fix this. That way you have two working units later on.

The two best brands seem to be Cox and ReelCraft.. This Reelworks brand had me confused for a minute there.

 

[Marctrees]

If everything is 12 ga why not bypass it ?

?

Marc

 

[4xdog]

I put in a ton of 20A receptacles as well, but I did not put one in the floor. The tablesaw is in the middle of the second bay, so pulling down the cord and plugging it in when I need to use it made the most sense. I really don't want to have a permanent cord on the ground, but perhaps that is what I need to do.

It’s far from a perfect solution, but more than one lab I’ve worked in and most of the “wet” food processing pilot plants at my companies have brought power down from the ceiling. The lab benches were in conduit, the pilot plants as hanging lines.

That said, when I had a chance to remodel my last lab, we brought power up from the floor to the freestanding island. It really is a better approach.

 

[sberry]

One place I had to do, get a diamond blade 4 1/2, cut a grove about inch deep, air chisel, put in 1/2 rigid, use pour rock, bondo spreader smooth.

 

[Phantomd]

In food manufacturing facilities we ran SOOW cord through cord grips (chinese finger trap type things) from boxes mounted to the ceiling. In our shop area we had a rope and pully setup with one end of the rope connected to the cord drop. This allowed us to pull the rope and raise the cord up high to get it out of the way when not in use.

They weren't retractable but it got the job done.

I'd not use those retractable jobs for anything more then a trouble light or small vacuum.