Materials of Construction
Depending on the application, light, medium or heavy-duty reels can be designed in a number of different materials. Materials of construction used for reels include wood, steel, stainless steel, and plastic. The metals are typically used for more heavy-duty applications. Plastics and wood are used for lighter and medium duty applications.
Specifications
Important specifications for reels include flange diameter, core diameter, inside traverse, the outside diameter of the cable or hose to be carried on the reel, and the length of the cable or hose to be carried on the reel. The flange diameter is the outside diameter of the reel flange. The core diameter is the diameter of the interior of the reel or core. The inside traverse is the distance from inside to inside of reel flanges.
Rewind Options
Reels have several rewind options. These include manual or crank, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, and spring. In a manual or crank rewind reel no rewind mechanism is associated with the reel. A hand crank or other manual method is required to rewind the hose or cable. For electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic rewind reels a motor drives the rewinding of the reel. A spring rewind reel uses an internal spring to rewind the wheel. Features common to reels are portable and collapsible construction. Collapsible reels can be collapsed or broken down for compact storage or bulk shipment. Portable reels are hand transportable. They are supplied with a lifting handle.
How to Choose
First, consider the application and pressure requirements. For most pneumatic tools, you may only need a reel that handles up to 300 psi, while a reel to transfer oil would need up to 2000 psi. Grease and lubrication application would need up to 4000 psi, while a simple water application would only need up to 300 psi. Your application will also help determine the ID (Inside Diameter) requirement for the hose and fittings on the reel. Applications where more torque is needed for larger pneumatic tools or heavy repairs, larger ID's may be required.