I bought the same storage reel and it didn't come with any instructions. Your video was simple and to the point. I got my cord wound properly on the first try. Thanks a million!
This is how I have been doing mine for years! Works like a charm. Until my husband took the whole thing off and I had to wrestle with my 100' Outdoor Heavy duty extension cord and I needed this refresher! Thank you!
Thanks Man! Same as the other comments. I was trying to figure out how the heck I was going to get the plug end available.... You saved me a ton of headaches. Cheers!
Thank you ... I was about to throw out the reel... Then I found your video ... Now I'm about to buy another reel for my other long cord. It's so easy to do and use.
🗣I haven’t used mine in a long time and I forgot how to do it that way. I am so glad that you made this video. I hope I don’t forget it again😂😂Thank you 👍🏽🧸❣️
Awesome tip. I've had that reel for years and never knew how to use it properly but I knew that there had to be something I was doing wrong. So glad I found this vid!
Excellent demonstration! I want to add two things, or three, maybe: One, you can see that he puts his foot on the cross bar of the reel when he wound it up. This is very good, since in that fashion, the reel is not going to scoot around as you turn the crank. Next, I hate to have an electric cord run through my palm, skin on, so I wear work gloves when I do this kind of thing. It helps with a smoother "run" through the hand, and it prevents me from wiping all the dust of the cord into my skin. And last but not least, since no everyone has such a very long driveway to unfurl the cord, get yourself a helper who will be at a short distance and assist the cord to stay straight on the length between the assistant and the one who does the reeling in. That is where it matters. Voila.... that is it! Nice driveway, by the way, dear Poor Guy! Which means you are taking good care of your home, and you can't be that poor, lol!
Seems like a pretty good way to do it, though not what I was expecting. The key is that you connect the cord to itself, find the halfway point, hook the cord to the spool at the half way point, and then start winding both the lengths. The end result is that you just unroll the length you need and unplug the two ends. Cool. Tried it, took about 1 minute and if you keep the ends plugged, you don't forget how to wind it neatly next time. Will use it around the backyard for my yard tools. No one can mess this up unless they try real hard.
I bought the same storage reel and it didn't come with any instructions. Your video was simple and to the point I appreciate the guidance I was going to wrap it all wrong thank you
Hey Poor Guy FYI, you're going to like what I did.. I drilled a hole in the core of the reel on the side opposite of the handle. Just big enough to fit the female end of the plug. Now I can plug the extension in, unreal the length I need and get to work!
I think this takes up TOO MMUCH time to prep. HOWEVER it may make up the time when it cuts the time to reel it in. So I think I will try this out. TY for the video and it being right to the point and clear. Nice. Well done.
This is definitely one of those "you'll save time doing it right" kind of things, or one of those things that the future you is gonna appreciate you for, or if you have really long cords and need to pack it into the reel as much as possible. If your cords are short they'll be less prone to being lumpy and tangled and you don't need to be so precise.
I learned something today, THANK YOU!!!... I have about 6 of those and never thought about folding in have, your video is constructive, informative, consist. ( Won't like, due to tracking)
You have the right idea. The difference I would do is mark the half way spot on the electrical cord with a black marker or electrical tape for future reference. Then I would tie the cord to the hook on the reel with a bread tie or short cord or something that would be easy to untie in case you need the entire cord without being married to the reel. I would also leave the ends loose on the cord ( not plugged into each other ) so that when you reel the cord, the tangles it might have taken on while being used will work themselves out. A rag or cloth would be handy also while holding the cord while reeling it up to keep it clean of dust, dirt or debris.
Awesome video w/ good audio, too! Thank you so much. Ugh. Seven years of undergrad and grad education, and I still felt like a moron for not being able to figure out how to keep the two tag ends loose and yet everything reeled in nice and neat!
I fold the cord in half and take a sharpie marker and mark the halfway point of the extension cord. This way when I begin to reel to cord in I look for the sharpie mark and know that’s my even middle halfway point and when done reeling both end are evenly together.
I have one of these for a 100 foot cord. Found it quicker to use a piece of electrical tape to mark the center of the cord. Next up I'll come up with a way to use a cordless drill to wind up the spool.
This idea made me hit my forehead with my hand so many tiimes that it now needs guaze tape! LOL!! I LOVE the electric tape marking idea! Excellent time saver! Thank you! Great video too!
@@donpointer2656 Thanks Don! My reel handle snapped off, so I took a piece of plywood and cut it to fit inside the arm for the handle and left some excess length. I had an old wooden spinner knob from a tractor that I bolted through the plywood reinforced arm. Works better than the factory fixed position plastic handle!
Oh please! You must be American.... always let a machine do it, when you can actually use your body for something practical in life..... the leaf blower, the snow blower, the edge trimmer, the lawn mower and so on.... all noisy as hell! And gobbling up energy! Use your muscles, use your hand tools and do not contribute to energy waste and noise pollution. Bonus, you get a good work-out that costs you nothing! I always have to laugh when I come out with my super snow shovel and go at it, while my neighbor across the street is fiddling with his snow blower, which clogs up every 15 feet, then he has to clear it again and go another 15 feet.... me, in less than half the time, I've cleared my side walk with my super shovel, and it is all nicely put into a heap, which I then transform into a snowman.... so much fun and so much healthier!
I'm ashamed I had to look this up.... But I kept getting stuck without easy access to one end or the other; I was spending more time playing with the cord than working on whatever.... Thanks for taking the time to create this one
🗣Another thing I just remembered at the end take the cord ends apart and put one end over the handle then put them back together and roll the reel a little tighter.Let me if you understand and did it ok.
How would this work using with an electric blower? Would the cord unwind as needed while walking arouns or would the cord need to be unwinded completely before using?
You will need to unwind to your full desired length before starting, and ideally have the reel somewhere in the middle. There's no way a hose reel of this type would be able to unwind just from casually pulling it behind you, regardless of how it's wound; it doesn't spin freely enough, and it's too light. This way IS the fastest and smoothest way to wind/unwind though, since you're basically pulling two cords at the same time.
Thank you! I have a 50’ outdoor extension cord and I want to use on for my backpack vacuum. I don’t want to have as much room from the reel to the male. Would I just put it off center and closer the male end?
Jules M. Yup! The real trick is still to lay it out as far as possible and use the friction on the ground to keep it taut as you reel it in, and use your non winding hand to feed it cleanly.
Greasy Pig Studios I replied. Wouldn’t it bend over or be more bulky? Could I do one loop with the male and then put it they the side holes and then wrap the female end?
Bonus hack--as soon as you buy an extension cord, mark the halfway point (with electrical tape, duct tape, spray paint, whatever). Also learn how to store cords using a daisy chain. Very simple & useful for ropes as well. And you look cool doing it.
Yes, Daisy chain is a cool way to do it. That way, they can be hung on a peg board, which may be more practical for folks who have a peg board but not much other space to store these somewhat bulky reels. If one has several cords, the reels will take up quite some space indeed!
Starting at the outlet, keep both ends together, drop them by the outlet, then take the reel and slowly walk backwards unwinding the cord to the ground as you go, walking until you get 50 feet away, at which point you'll run out of cord. Set the reel down, walk back to the beginning, plug the cord into the outlet, take the other end and walk it back the rest of the way. If you'd wound the cord up properly the first time around and you unwound properly just now, you shouldn't have any tangles.
This method works great. I have the same reel and it has no instructions whatsoever. A cord reel this cheap should come with instructions because, obviously, if you’re buying the $13 non-heavy duty model, you’re not a contractor or serious DIY-er and you’re clueless!
Simpler than the ones that have you drill a hole in the side opposite the reel, then you lead the female side into the hole and voila..but I dont have a drill! 😂
I bought the same storage reel and it didn't come with any instructions. Your video was simple and to the point. I got my cord wound properly on the first try. Thanks a million!
I spent 15 minutes trying to figure it out before I gave up. But thanks to this video I now know how. Thanks again dude.
Me and my daughter spent about 45 mins trying and arguing. I said let's Google and we found this. Thank you.
Thank you! This even works on those cheap dollar-store reels. #brilliant😊
Finally an easy to understand way of using an extention cord reel. This video helped a lot!! Now to go reel up my cord!! Thank you for a great video!
This is how I have been doing mine for years! Works like a charm. Until my husband took the whole thing off and I had to wrestle with my 100' Outdoor Heavy duty extension cord and I needed this refresher! Thank you!
I was on the verge of throwing away this same extension cord barrel! Thanks for the video!!!
I got one of these for free & couldn't figure it out to save my life. Thank you for this video.
The best video I found for this electric cord reel. Thank you so much. You made it look easy and you were easy to understand.
Thanks Man! Same as the other comments. I was trying to figure out how the heck I was going to get the plug end available.... You saved me a ton of headaches. Cheers!
Thank you ... I was about to throw out the reel... Then I found your video ... Now I'm about to buy another reel for my other long cord. It's so easy to do and use.
🗣I haven’t used mine in a long time and I forgot how to do it that way. I am so glad that you made this video. I hope I don’t forget it again😂😂Thank you 👍🏽🧸❣️
AWESOME!!! I LOOKED AT A LOT OF VIDEOS AND YOURS WAS THE BEST AND VERY HELPFUL ON HOW TO USE THE CORD REEL❤🙏
Awesome tip. I've had that reel for years and never knew how to use it properly but I knew that there had to be something I was doing wrong. So glad I found this vid!
Nice house & driveway! The paving slabs could never work up north where I live, but one can dream ;)
Thanks a lot. Smart way! You did help me saving lots of time. Please keep making the video to help the people. Appreciate that.
You sir are correct. Watching any other video on this subject is a waste of time. Thank you
amazing that it had to look up how to do this--i was stumped--but thanks for the help!
You got it. Doubling the cord is EXACTLY what that center hook is for and most people haven't a clue.
I guessed this might be the way to do it. Easy method. I think my folks never did it quite right so I never learned. Thanks!
I just bought one of these reels. Thanks for the video!
Me too! 😆
Amazing really help us out especially after spending 1 hour untangling it and tangling it back up again trying to roll it up
Excellent demonstration! I want to add two things, or three, maybe: One, you can see that he puts his foot on the cross bar of the reel when he wound it up. This is very good, since in that fashion, the reel is not going to scoot around as you turn the crank. Next, I hate to have an electric cord run through my palm, skin on, so I wear work gloves when I do this kind of thing. It helps with a smoother "run" through the hand, and it prevents me from wiping all the dust of the cord into my skin. And last but not least, since no everyone has such a very long driveway to unfurl the cord, get yourself a helper who will be at a short distance and assist the cord to stay straight on the length between the assistant and the one who does the reeling in. That is where it matters. Voila.... that is it!
Nice driveway, by the way, dear Poor Guy! Which means you are taking good care of your home, and you can't be that poor, lol!
thanks so much! I have been using a similar reel for 3 years and always found it a headache to wind up cord until today
Omg! Thank you for posting this. I feel pretty sheepish for not knowing how simple this trick is🤦🏽♀️
Seems like a pretty good way to do it, though not what I was expecting. The key is that you connect the cord to itself, find the halfway point, hook the cord to the spool at the half way point, and then start winding both the lengths. The end result is that you just unroll the length you need and unplug the two ends. Cool. Tried it, took about 1 minute and if you keep the ends plugged, you don't forget how to wind it neatly next time. Will use it around the backyard for my yard tools. No one can mess this up unless they try real hard.
Watch out for the cord overheating if you keep some of it coiled up
Thanks bro, I was almost there but I gave up until I found your video lol
I bought the same storage reel and it didn't come with any instructions. Your video was simple and to the point I appreciate the guidance I was going to wrap it all wrong thank you
I wasted time trying to figure it out myself. I should have come here first 😄 Thanks!!
Thanks mate. Worked perfectly and have been looking at a way to do this the right way.
Thanks a lot! Glad it worked for you.
Hey Poor Guy FYI, you're going to like what I did.. I drilled a hole in the core of the reel on the side opposite of the handle. Just big enough to fit the female end of the plug. Now I can plug the extension in, unreal the length I need and get to work!
Hey, elfpimp1, could you share a pic or video? I think yours is the solution I have been looking for.
@@aprila.genthe7069 I'll try.
@@aprila.genthe7069 hi April, I made a vid and posted it. Let me know what you think..
@@elfpimp1 ua-cam.com/video/WfDTysL4ZA4/v-deo.html
So great!! My neighbor drilled the holes for me and now mine are good to go! Thanks!
Thank you so much. Other videos showed to cut a hole in the reel but this was easier AND better!
I think this takes up TOO MMUCH time to prep. HOWEVER it may make up the time when it cuts the time to reel it in. So I think I will try this out. TY for the video and it being right to the point and clear. Nice. Well done.
This is definitely one of those "you'll save time doing it right" kind of things, or one of those things that the future you is gonna appreciate you for, or if you have really long cords and need to pack it into the reel as much as possible. If your cords are short they'll be less prone to being lumpy and tangled and you don't need to be so precise.
Simple and awesome. Thank you for sharing!!
I learned something today, THANK YOU!!!... I have about 6 of those and never thought about folding in have, your video is constructive, informative, consist. ( Won't like, due to tracking)
Worked like a charm. Much appreciated.
Thank you so much. Your instructions worked great for me!
You have the right idea. The difference I would do is mark the half way spot on the electrical cord with a black marker or electrical tape for future reference. Then I would tie the cord to the hook on the reel with a bread tie or short cord or something that would be easy to untie in case you need the entire cord without being married to the reel. I would also leave the ends loose on the cord ( not plugged into each other ) so that when you reel the cord, the tangles it might have taken on while being used will work themselves out. A rag or cloth would be handy also while holding the cord while reeling it up to keep it clean of dust, dirt or debris.
All great ideas!
Wow. Thank you so much. I would have never figured this out.
fuckin hell thanks mate! i spent 30 mins on the thing and couldn't figure it out and you just saved me!
Thanks for the video, the way you did it makes much more sense than the way I Tried to do it!🤣
Easy peasy once you view this video. Thank you!!!
Awesome video w/ good audio, too! Thank you so much. Ugh. Seven years of undergrad and grad education, and I still felt like a moron for not being able to figure out how to keep the two tag ends loose and yet everything reeled in nice and neat!
I fold the cord in half and take a sharpie marker and mark the halfway point of the extension cord. This way when I begin to reel to cord in I look for the sharpie mark and know that’s my even middle halfway point and when done reeling both end are evenly together.
Thanks for making this video.
Game changer! Thanks
Tysm I got the exact same reel. Super helpful!
I have one of these for a 100 foot cord. Found it quicker to use a piece of electrical tape to mark the center of the cord. Next up I'll come up with a way to use a cordless drill to wind up the spool.
What a simple and great idea to mark the center of the cord! This way we don't need too much space to straightening it before rewinding it. Tks!
This idea made me hit my forehead with my hand so many tiimes that it now needs guaze tape! LOL!! I LOVE the electric tape marking idea! Excellent time saver! Thank you! Great video too!
@@donpointer2656 Thanks Don! My reel handle snapped off, so I took a piece of plywood and cut it to fit inside the arm for the handle and left some excess length. I had an old wooden spinner knob from a tractor that I bolted through the plywood reinforced arm. Works better than the factory fixed position plastic handle!
Oh please! You must be American.... always let a machine do it, when you can actually use your body for something practical in life..... the leaf blower, the snow blower, the edge trimmer, the lawn mower and so on.... all noisy as hell! And gobbling up energy! Use your muscles, use your hand tools and do not contribute to energy waste and noise pollution. Bonus, you get a good work-out that costs you nothing!
I always have to laugh when I come out with my super snow shovel and go at it, while my neighbor across the street is fiddling with his snow blower, which clogs up every 15 feet, then he has to clear it again and go another 15 feet.... me, in less than half the time, I've cleared my side walk with my super shovel, and it is all nicely put into a heap, which I then transform into a snowman.... so much fun and so much healthier!
Thanks so very much for the tutorial! There were no instructions included!
I'm ashamed I had to look this up.... But I kept getting stuck without easy access to one end or the other; I was spending more time playing with the cord than working on whatever.... Thanks for taking the time to create this one
🗣Another thing I just remembered at the end take the cord ends apart and put one end over the handle then put them back together and roll the reel a little tighter.Let me if you understand and did it ok.
Thanks so much for the video. Now I know how to set it up.
Great tip. Thank you so much.
How would this work using with an electric blower? Would the cord unwind as needed while walking arouns or would the cord need to be unwinded completely before using?
You will need to unwind to your full desired length before starting, and ideally have the reel somewhere in the middle. There's no way a hose reel of this type would be able to unwind just from casually pulling it behind you, regardless of how it's wound; it doesn't spin freely enough, and it's too light. This way IS the fastest and smoothest way to wind/unwind though, since you're basically pulling two cords at the same time.
Exactly what I needed. Thanks!
Nice, Thank you
Wow thanks for this!
Does it damage the cord that you placed together?
Thank you! I have a 50’ outdoor extension cord and I want to use on for my backpack vacuum. I don’t want to have as much room from the reel to the male. Would I just put it off center and closer the male end?
Jules M. Yup! The real trick is still to lay it out as far as possible and use the friction on the ground to keep it taut as you reel it in, and use your non winding hand to feed it cleanly.
I just thought while sitting on the toilet. Wouldn’t it overlap and look weird? Could I feed out the male end out through the holes?
Greasy Pig Studios I replied. Wouldn’t it bend over or be more bulky? Could I do one loop with the male and then put it they the side holes and then wrap the female end?
Thank you, I hate to admit, I wasn't intelligent to figure it out and mine didn't come with ANY instructions lol
Exactly, Robert!
Same here 😄😄
Ditto, hooray!
Thank you!
many thanks.
WOW thankyou 👍
Bonus hack--as soon as you buy an extension cord, mark the halfway point (with electrical tape, duct tape, spray paint, whatever). Also learn how to store cords using a daisy chain. Very simple & useful for ropes as well. And you look cool doing it.
Yes, Daisy chain is a cool way to do it. That way, they can be hung on a peg board, which may be more practical for folks who have a peg board but not much other space to store these somewhat bulky reels. If one has several cords, the reels will take up quite some space indeed!
Thank you
Thank you for sharing this...I never would have figured it out. They should include instructions with the reel but they don’t :(
Yeahhhh ! Great thank you for share!!!
Thanks.
Just got my reel, I looked at it and said there's gotta be a UA-cam on this, LMAO!!!
thanks
very useful
Seems like it'd be a no-brainer, but it's really not. Thank you for posting!
But no one shows how to spread out the cord to use the entire 100 feet.
Starting at the outlet, keep both ends together, drop them by the outlet, then take the reel and slowly walk backwards unwinding the cord to the ground as you go, walking until you get 50 feet away, at which point you'll run out of cord. Set the reel down, walk back to the beginning, plug the cord into the outlet, take the other end and walk it back the rest of the way. If you'd wound the cord up properly the first time around and you unwound properly just now, you shouldn't have any tangles.
Nice
Thanks
Great
Thanks dude
This method works great. I have the same reel and it has no instructions whatsoever. A cord reel this cheap should come with instructions because, obviously, if you’re buying the $13 non-heavy duty model, you’re not a contractor or serious DIY-er and you’re clueless!
What city do you live in?
Simpler than the ones that have you drill a hole in the side opposite the reel, then you lead the female side into the hole and voila..but I dont have a drill! 😂
Maybe you should change your name from Poor Guy to Middle Class lol based on that long drive way
That's not a drive way, thats a runway.
Ah ha! I was RIGHT!
Yeah but try to unwind it! A giant mess
Not the best method
Thank you!