How to Install a Retractable Extension Cord in Your Garage Ceiling

Like a lot of people, I do woodworking projects in my garage. For my miter saw, table saw, and other power tools, I had always used a regular old electrical cord (a "drop cord"). It worked, but it always ended up tangled on the floor and in my way. So, recently I started looking for a retractable extension cord reel that I could mount to my garage ceiling. The one I found has worked out really well. It's even portable! Thinking it might help other garage woodworkers, I made a video showing how to install the retractable extension cord reel I went with. You can see it and some photos from the installation below. 

After researching suggestions for a retractable extension cord reel, I ended up picking one by Iron Forge Cable. I considered the cord length so I can easily power equipment outside of the garage, heavier gauge, and price. The selling point on this particular one ended up being the ability and ease to take the reel off the mount if needed.

The video above is a silent time lapse video of me installing the Iron Forge Cable extension cord reel. It was pretty straight forward. Obviously, you do have to use a stud finder to find a ceiling joist to mount the reel to. But as the video shows, once the bracket is mounted, you can actually remove the reel. So, you could take it outside to another location in case you needed an extension cord there.  That's one of the reasons I went with the Iron Forge Cable extension cord reel. 

I’m silly excited to have greatly reduced my chances of a face plant. And, before you get your boxers in a bunch about me using a barstool to install this upgrade, just know that my coordination on a barstool is far better than on any ladder. If you decide to put up a retractable extension cord reel in your garage (or somewhere else), please leave a comment below and tell folks which one you chose and how it worked out for you.