Extension Cord Reel Improvement Hack

Introduction

If you’ve ever struggled with tangled extension cords or had to completely unravel one just to use it, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. I’ve been using a Harbor Freight extension cord reel with a 100-foot extension cord for some time now, and believe me, the hassle can be quite annoying. The issue seems to stem from either not leaving enough slack on the male end or dealing with a tangled mess.

Recently, I came up with a simple yet effective hack to improve the usability of my extension cord reel. The solution involves using inexpensive plastic hooks, often used for hanging items around the house. You can find these hooks in various retail locations, such as grocery stores or drugstores like Walgreens, and they typically come at a reasonable price.

The Hack Breakdown

1. Find the Center: To start off, I laid out the entire extension cord and found the midpoint, marking it with some masking tape. This helps in ensuring that the wind-up process is balanced.

2. Attaching the Hook: I attached one of the plastic hooks right at the center of the cord reel. It’s important to clean the surface where the hook will be applied, but for this demonstration, I decided to skip that step. The main goal was to position the hook correctly so that when winding the cord, it helps to capture it in place.

3. Winding the Cord: With the hook securely attached, I placed the mid-point of the cord into the hook. As I cranked the handle to wind the cord, the hook did its job perfectly, keeping the cord organized.

The best part? Once the entire cord is wound up, you can easily pull apart the male and female ends without needing to remove the whole reel. The design allows for easy unwinding while ensuring that the extension cord remains neat without getting tangled.

This inexpensive plastic hook should save a considerable amount of time and effort when dealing with extension cords.

Hopefully, this hack helps you manage your extension cords more efficiently and makes using them a lot less of a chore!

Keywords

• Extension cord
• Harbor Freight
• Reel
• Tangled
• Plastic hooks
• Organization
• DIY hack

FAQ

Q: What is the main problem faced with extension cords?
A: The main problem is tangling and the hassle of needing to completely unravel them to use them effectively.

Q: How can I prevent my extension cord from tangling?
A: By using a plastic hook to secure the midpoint of the cord while winding it on a reel, you can prevent tangling and make it easier to unwind.

Q: Where can I find the hooks needed for this hack?
A: Inexpensive plastic hooks can be purchased at grocery stores, drugstores like Walgreens, or online.

Q: Do I need to clean the surface before applying the hook?
A: It’s recommended to clean the surface for better adhesion, but the hack can work without it in a pinch.

Q: Can this method be used on cords of different lengths?
A: Yes, this method is versatile and can be applied to extension cords of various lengths.