Buy · empty spools
Empty cable spools
Empty cable spools from 23 to 42 inches are the size most people mean when they ask for one: light enough to carry or roll, sized for a side table, a hose winder or a workshop reel. The desk sells them in ones and twos and in sets, matched by flange size and use.
From the reel desk · Checked 9 November 2026
Sizes and what they suit
| Flange | Height on end | Empty weight | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 to 24 in | 11 to 25 in | 16 to 34 lb | Side table, plant stand, hose winder |
| 28 to 32 in | 20 to 26 in | 49 to 66 lb | Coffee table, garden table, shop reel |
| 34 to 36 in | 19 to 32 in | 73 to 92 lb | Patio table, low or high depending on traverse |
| 38 to 42 in | 25 to 33 in | 96 to 167 lb | Outdoor table, display, farm wire |
Figures are Southwire's published reel dimensions and weights for its reels in each range. Other makers' reels differ by an inch or two.
Nailed or plywood
At these sizes you will see both. Southwire's N-3, N-5 and N-7P reels at 23¾ inches are plywood, weighing 16 to 30 pounds; its C-series reels at 23 inches are nailed wood at 29 to 34 pounds. Plywood is lighter, smoother and less suited to weather. Nailed wood is heavier, rougher and lasts outdoors. For a table indoors, plywood sands nicely. For a patio, choose nailed.
Common projects
- Hose winder. A small reel with a length of pipe through the 3⅛-inch arbor hole, set on two posts.
- Side table. A 23 or 24 inch reel on end, sanded and sealed.
- Coffee table. A 30 to 36 inch reel with a short traverse.
- Workshop reel for extension cords, rope or air hose.
- Shelving, with the drum as the core and a second reel's flange as a shelf.
Asking for one
Choose "Buy wooden spools" and give the flange size and the height you want, or the project. Say whether you will collect or need delivery. Ones and twos travel on runs through your area, so give a window rather than a single date.
Before you buy a spool
| Use | Flange | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee or side table | 30 to 36 in | A flat, uncracked top flange and a height of 16 to 26 in on end |
| Patio or dining table | 36 to 48 in | Overall width near 28 to 30 in, so chairs fit under the top |
| Hose, rope or wire winding | 24 to 42 in | A round arbor hole and a drum that turns true on a shaft |
| Re-spooling cable | 30 to 60 in | Drum diameter and traverse matched to the cable's bend radius and length |
| Displays, venues, farms | 48 to 72 in | Somewhere firm to set it down, and a machine to do it |
- Look at both flanges. Cracks that run across the grain, split rims and loose tie rods are what fail first. Ask for photos of each face.
- Check for nails. Run a hand round the rim and the drum; anything standing proud gets pulled or set before use.
- Ask about treatment before a spool goes indoors, into a garden bed or near food. Some reels are preservative-treated; most are plain lumber.
- Plan the last fifty feet. Under about 36 inches, two people carry it. Up to 48, a ramp and two people. Above that, forks, a loader or a tractor.
- Matched sets come from one job or one maker. Say if the spools must match in size, stencil or colour.
Reels you are likely to have
| Reel | Build | Flange | Traverse | Drum | Lb | Usually carries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-5 | Nailed wood | 23 | 17 | 12 | 34 | Copper building wire, grounding |
| A-10 | Nailed wood | 30 | 22 | 16 | 66 | Service drop, bare aluminium |
| N-24 | Nailed wood | 36 | 28 | 14 | 83 | Insulated and multiplex cable |
| A-29 | Nailed wood | 42 | 28 | 21 | 154 | Overhead conductor, feeders |
| A-38 | Nailed wood | 48 | 28 | 24 | 212 | Aluminium and ACSR, large feeders |
| A-62 | Nailed wood | 60 | 28 | 28 | 397 | Utility conductor |
| A-76 | Nailed wood | 66 | 28 | 30 | 473 | Heavy conductor |
| S-120 | Steel, returnable | 84 | 36 | 42 | 895 | Transmission and medium voltage |
Other makers' reels differ by an inch or two. All flange sizes · How to measure
Questions the desk gets
What is the smallest spool the desk has?
Reels come in from about 23 inches across. Southwire's smallest plywood reels at that size weigh 16 to 30 lb empty.
Can I carry a spool home in a car?
A 23 or 24 inch reel fits most trunks or back seats. A 30 inch reel needs a hatchback, van or pickup.
Sources
Each opened and read on 9 November 2026.
- Southwire, Reel Packaging Information (CableTech Support): reel series, wooden reel dimensions and weights, steel reel dimensions and charges, tag contents; cites NEMA WC26