TIPS & TECHNIQUES

Readers' Tips

Power Cord Reel

SIDE

(214" x 15" ^S/₄"-PLY.)

#6 X v/z" Fh WOOPSCREW ³/₄" x 4"-L0NG

■ This simple hand reel is a nifty way to store a long power cord. To wind up the cord, you just "pedal" the reel like a bicycle, see photo. Once the cord is wrapped up, it won't get tangled, so it's ready to go when you need it. (This reel holds a fifty foot-long power cord.)

The reel consists of two plywood sides connected by a pair of dowels, see drawing. Besides providing a rigid support to wrap the cord around, the dowels act as handles for the reel.

The dowels fit in holes drilled

Utility Saw _

■ This simple utility saw really comes in handy when working in tight places. All that's needed to make the saw is a reciprocating saw blade and a hardwood block for the handle, see drawing.

The blade fits in a kerf that's cut in the handle. After shaping the handle to provide a comfortable grip, I used epoxy to hold the blade securely in place.

R. B. Rimes Vienna, Ohio

near the ends of each side. It's also a good idea to cut a curve on the ends of the sides. This keeps the power cord from getting snagged as you wrap it up.

To assemble the reel, it's just a matter of inserting the dowels in the holes in the sides. The handles are formed by extending one end of each dowel past opposite sides of the reel. (The other end of each dowel is flush with the side.)

After screwing the dowels to the side, I slipped a short length of PVC pipe over each one. The pipe spins freely on the handles

which makes it easy to wind up the cord. (I cut the pipes Vie" shorter than the handles.)

Next, to prevent the pieces of pipe from slipping off, I placed a fender washer over the end of each one and screwed it in place.

All that's needed to complete the cord reel is to glue a clothespin to one side. Clipping the end of the power cord in the clothespin frees up both your hands to crank the reel.

Wallace E. Delo Buffalo, New York

HANDLE

(1¹/₂" X 414"-%"-THICK HARPWOOP)

SECOND:

SHAPE HANPLE FOR A

6"-L0NG RECIPROCATING SAW BLAPE

THIRD:

EPOXY BLAPE IN KERF

CUT A THIN KERF

IN TOP EPGE OF HANPLE BLANK

4

ShopNotes

No. 44