I was poking around the archives recently for something electrical and I saw mention after mention of putting the wire spool on a roller. Figuring nine out of ten guys here are pretty smart I decided to give it a go (that and I was dying to do play with my table saw for a while after pulling cable for a couple days).
Sure, I could have probably bought something metal, lightweight, and portable, but, well, I’m cheap and like to do things the hard way. I had some scrap 3/4″ plywood laying around, a dado set and a nice tube of glue, so here’s what I came up with.
The pieces are made up of two 3/4″ parts glued together, clamped for a couple hours to set. The sides get the top corners knocked off, a hole for the rod, and a handle cut near the top. A 3/8″ radius roundover bit hit all the edges to make the handles easy on the hands and to reduce potential snag points. I ran a dado in each side of the base to accept the sides. The sides were glued in, plus some brads to hold it snug while the glue dried. A piece of closet rod holds the spool in place and some bolts (not pictured) keeps it from slipping out.
Overall, I’m very happy with the way it performs. All you noobs not using a roller to dispense cable – it’s _so_ much easier, you don’t have to fight the twists and you can roll out as long a length of cable as you want and it’s all perfectly straight. This even makes it easier to staple as the wire isn’t pre-bent.
Now this thing is heavier than hell all together, but the spool is heavier than hell to begin with and now I have nice fat handles to carry it by. I have to admit this solution isn’t going to be good for a little guy – big hands and widely-spaced arms are probably necessary.
Hope this helps/inspires somebody. OK, at least I hope I’m not harshed on too bad. 🙂
Replies
Bill.
Looks good and not hard to build. It can't weigh all that much without the spool and the spools that size are hard to carry. at least this gives some handles.
Good functional idea. no unessessary parts.
Thanks for the pics.
yeah, but I like the sound of a 3/4'' pipe cradled by some bent 16's across two studs..kinda shakes the partition wall..
looks good..I'll post my spinner for lesser size (250') coils..works great.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Bill, while not as fancy as your rig..here's an easy scrap project..all 2x4 with some rafter plumb cut drop offs..good for coils.View Image
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Hey, that's a good idea. I'll use that next time I need to do attic work. Thanks.
yer welcome...welcome to try it out in MY attic!..<G>..
have fun
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
We call them 'spinners'. Ours are a bit different but not necessarily better.
Make mine out of 2x6s. Flat on bottom keeps rolls stable. Vertical and two short pieces sistered almost fills the center of the roll so it doesn't become unbalanced. Also if you staple some Romex up the flat of the vertical, staple near ends and double over to lock it in place, and back down leaving a 4" bend at the top. Lacking the cross piece these are more compact but still keep the rolls flat without cable falling off.
Doesn't look like you have a swivel. Can't tell from picture. To make a swivel I take a 8 penny nail. Slip a 3/16" washer onto it and follow with a 1/4" x 1-1/4" fender washer. Poke the nail up from the top of the loop, through the flat, and bend over to form a hook. This forms a durable field expedient swivel that can be hooked on a loop of wire to support the spinner. Wire pulls off easily and nothing twists to counter your pull.
Wiring small houses, where rolls shine, we usually loop some scrap cable over a doorway and hook the spinner up. Works pretty well for me, your mileage may vary, with the manufactured swivel lending just enough friction to keep the unit from getting ahead of you.
I can make one in a few minutes and have had them last for years.
dang, now I need a swivel..lol. Just a pc. of masons line hung from a nail is my current set up..
Wanted to run new wires in the cathedral ciel. upstairs b4 my helper went AWOL..again..so I cobbled it together to more or less show him the difference between un-coiling and just peeling off loops..it worked, he got the point.
RE: pet peeves...is it true fewer is more?..sorry, that popped in my head and I thought of you..lol
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.