Is this flimsy at all? I've read mixed reviews and don't want something that will flex or snap due to winding.. The center handle looks like it's hard to grab if you have larger hands?I was also looking at this one: http://www.amazon.com/Alert-Stamping-500WR-Wrap-n-Carry-Extension/dp/B000W67G72/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topWhich seems stronger and looks more built. Is this flimsy at all? I've read mixed reviews and don't want something that will flex or snap due to winding.. The center handle looks like it's hard to grab if you have larger... » Read More Is this flimsy at all? I've read mixed reviews and don't want something that will flex or snap due to winding.. The center handle looks like it's hard to grab if you have larger hands?I was also looking at this one: http://www.amazon.com/Alert-Stamping-500WR-Wrap-n-Carry-Extension/dp/B000W67G72/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topWhich seems stronger and looks more built. « Show Less
53626
Tommy Silva from This Old House suggests finding the middle point of the cord, hooking it on your reel there and start winding it up. When you are done both end of the cord are there. If you need 20 feet jut unwind about 10 feet of each end, plug one end in and your too to the other and you are ready to go. Easy to make longer even with ends connected. I am sure you could break one of these reels or any other similar one. But you would have to be working hard at it to do so. Treat your tools well and they will work for you for a long time.
53627
Good question, the reels are flexible but strong. The handles are not hard to crank and of the 6-7 I have never had one break. I use mine for California truck rope storage, small cable storage, Christmas lights, as will as extension cords for the deer lease. They are like potato chips you can't use just one because they make line storage so neat and organized.
53628
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20809849,00.htmlTommy Silva, as R. Engdahl would have you believe ;-) , does not like these cord storage reels. Says they wrap the cord too tight
53629
I've found this reel to be quite sturdy. It's made out of some kind of polycarbonate so it won't break. You could drop it and it would only perhaps scuff a little. The center handle is a bit unorthodox but it isn't too hard to handle unless you have very small hands. From looking at the other product, you cannot rotate it. You can only hold it and wrap the cord around it. Moreover, it, being smaller, will only hold 100 ft of 16 gauge cord. The Bayco product will hold a little more than 100 ft of 14 gauge cord. And it will rotate on its axis if you grab the center handle so it would be easier to handle. I would recommend the Bayco for an inexpensive cord reel. I've found this reel to be quite sturdy. It's made out of some kind of polycarbonate so it won't break. You could drop it and it would only perhaps scuff a little. The center handle is a bit unorthodox but it isn't too hard to handle unless you have very small hands. From looking at the other product, you cannot rotate it. You can only hold it and wrap the cord around it. Moreover, it, being smaller, will only hold 100 ft of 16 gauge cord. The Bayco product will hold a little more than 100 ft of 14 gauge cord. And it will rotate on its axis if you grab the center handle so it... » Read More I've found this reel to be quite sturdy. It's made out of some kind of polycarbonate so it won't break. You could drop it and it would only perhaps scuff a little. The center handle is a bit unorthodox but it isn't too hard to handle unless you have very small hands. From looking at the other product, you cannot rotate it. You can only hold it and wrap the cord around it. Moreover, it, being smaller, will only hold 100 ft of 16 gauge cord. The Bayco product will hold a little more than 100 ft of 14 gauge cord. And it will rotate on its axis if you grab the center handle so it would be easier to handle. I would recommend the Bayco for an inexpensive cord reel. « Show Less
53630
It will be much easier to keep the cord from tangling if you can reel it on and off as you would with the Bayco. The other, where you coil it around, will cause the cord to be twisted one turn for every coil as it goes on, and having to untwist the same amount coming off if it is not to tangle. When free coiling you can either coil in figure eights or flip every second coil 180 degrees as you coil to avoid this problem; but either would be hard with that reel.
53631
These are pretty tough. I have 1/4" air hose and extension cords on mine. Easy to hang on to wind up with cord coming underneath seems to work best for me. The get dropped, pitch in the truck, and generally handled as utility items. Never had one break. Round one seems more usable to me.
53632
No, this is really not at all flimsy. I do find the way it's constructed to be a bit difficult. If you have a couple of feet of cord stuck out so can plug it in, that couple of feet tends to get tangled when you're reeling in the rest. I don't know how else you'd construct one, however. I often tend to just wind it hand over hand rather than use the crank.
53633
No, it isn't flimsy. But, it is somewhat hard to wind up a heavy duty cord. I have a 12/3 15 amp 50' cord I use on the item. It takes a bit of effort but it is well worth it to have this reel to store it on. I'd recommend it.
1349829
I chose this design handle over the "T" shape b/c I'm pretty sure this allows less force for turning, etc. The handle itself has been very strong and stable over past year or so. I love it and so glad I got away from the gas mower, tho I still use a gas trimmer. One thing I do with this for a difficult weed, you can angle up on one wheel as you give a little push -- allowing the blades to catch the pesky resistant weed...This shape handle, plus the quality construction have allowed me to do that very effectively with little effort. I will note that the foam cover on handle is crumbling...but who cares, I wear gloves! I chose this design handle over the "T" shape b/c I'm pretty sure this allows less force for turning, etc. The handle itself has been very strong and stable over past year or so. I love it and so glad I got away from the gas mower, tho I still use a gas trimmer. One thing I do with this for a difficult weed, you can angle up on one wheel as you give a little push -- allowing the blades to catch the pesky resistant weed...This shape handle, plus the quality construction have allowed me to do that very effectively with little effort. I will note that the foam cover on handle... » Read More I chose this design handle over the "T" shape b/c I'm pretty sure this allows less force for turning, etc. The handle itself has been very strong and stable over past year or so. I love it and so glad I got away from the gas mower, tho I still use a gas trimmer. One thing I do with this for a difficult weed, you can angle up on one wheel as you give a little push -- allowing the blades to catch the pesky resistant weed...This shape handle, plus the quality construction have allowed me to do that very effectively with little effort. I will note that the foam cover on handle is crumbling...but who cares, I wear gloves! « Show Less
284124
The way it is constructed, it is difficult to realize if it is full tang. However, I read reviews that say it is full tang. I would suggest you to go over those reviews if you have doubt. Again, I used a magnet (not very powerful for testing) to feel the tang on the handle and it felt like it is full tang. You could do the same with a powerful magnet.Good Luck.
1440661
I have very little muscle strength over my entire body so to reach from the side and go back and forth would be almost impossible for me. As is putting the paper on the tool and wiping from the front is hard also because I cannot get far enough back underneath me. If the handle was longer it then may work for me also the release button was hard for me. I saw on line a similar unit with a extension to make the handle longer. To put this in perspective I am not overweight I am 5'7" and 165 lbs. Again my disease is a deterioration of ALL my skeletal muscle. I hope this helps you. Carl
657414
Yes. It wouldn't be so bad if the handle was a bit thicker for gripping. It seemed unbalanced to me and kind of heavy for every day carry or hiking. Go with the blackbird, ease, or becker
456446
I use it often at work and I've had no difficulty. I'm 6'7" and even with large hands, I find it to be pretty easy to open and close. Like anything, the more it's used, the easier it is to handle.
778956
Rediranch, This summer I was a beginner also. I LOVE this canner.....it is TOTALLY idiot proof (important for me). It is in fact HUGE! If they come any bigger I don't think we would be able to pick them up even when empty. It is very heavy duty. I only have 1. important note to self.....make sure the little "nitch" on the rim of the pot is facing YOU....this is very important because I can tell you from experience, it's hard to read the dial when it is facing the back of the stove. Depending on how big your kitchen sink is, it's a little difficult to wash but that is a small price to pay for this awesome canner. Hope this helps you.
1420947
When I first got mine, I hated it because it's kind of heavy (compared to other grabbers), and it made my hand cramp, but after using it for a while, it got easier. I guess it just exercised muscles I wasn't used to using.
970725
The folding handle is very sturdy...made of the same material as the top portion....just has a hinge to allow you to fold. I open and close it every day and have had no problems whatsoever -- hope this helps!
229648
The full width arms makes it easier to pull from either side, the pressure is much better distributed across ones fingers and doesn't feel like its cutting. The longer right arm has a bit more leverage, needed because of the forward assist. It has short lever motion so it's quicker and more solid feeling. It has not pinched me (yet). Yes, to me it's worth the cost.
1934442
I found that a bit disconcerting, since I owned three of the earlier models - and was almost afraid that it was going to come off in my hand. Been using it for going on two years and it has never caused a problem, though. You are right, it does FEEL weird!
1558531
This one seems very sturdy. I have only had it a month or so,which is not a long time, but I have used it a lot and it does seem to function very well. I recommend that you give it a try. I think you'll be happy with it.
1165513
The "wrap" that they use around the handle is very flimsy. If you plan on using the sword in anyway, might want to get some polychord to replace the wrap. The sword is actually decent for the price. It is one solid piece of metal and is extremely sharp. Unfortunately, mine came with some chips in the metal, but Amazon took care of it for me. Hope this helps.
2179918
I have fairly large hands, but my finger won't fit at all. and Also, be weary of the handle threading. after a dozen throws or more the rope around the handle will start to fall off as it is not fused together. it's just wrapped and tucked. I would suggest burning the rope ends to fuse it or using handle tar.
157750
Hi: I'm not the seller of this item, but if you're not careful in how you contact the seller, your question will go out all over the place.......mistake I once made........so look carefully around the page to ensure you are contacting the seller.........think my last successful attempt showed the contact seller somewhere on the right side of the page. Now, that being said, I CAN help you because I own this item. I don't know where they get these dimensions. The 12.6 would probably be the shovel head length from front to back. The shovel head width (from left to right) is about 10 inches and as it fans out towards the end where you see the black strip, that's about 11 inches wide. It's no where near 56 high unless, I guess, you snap the broom into the bracket (which is high up on the handle) where the fibers of the broom comes just below the bracket. The shovel handle itself is about 2 1/2 - 3 feet high. This shovel is similar to the cheapy ones you see in dollar stores with the exception that it is better and wider than those. I never close it and use my own regular-sized broom; I use the broom that comes with it for getting into smaller spaces. I like this shovel because it's wider. This shovel is not meant for heavy-duty debris like loading a bunch of stones on it which would make it too heavy........don't want to break it. I use mine for everyday debris that gets in my concrete city yard like some leaves from a park near me when the wind blows them my way, etc. If you leave this shovel out exposed to the elements, over time the handle WILL rust and pit which is why I had to buy another one..........I bought "2" this time. It's a nice shovel and I would definitely give it a try.
272517
I found it very sturdy from the top handle. I read people were stating it bowed on the sides. I have had no such issues. Walmart sells thisnbag. I did my research there. Well made, sturdy and equipment is safe, secure and snug. Nothing mofes around.
1508766
I have had no problems with the handle. It doesn't get hot and hasn't loosened at all. Please note however that when I tighten the upper portion to the bottom I do not use the handle for leverage. I grip the body of both the top and bottom to tighten. Also what is difficult to see in the pictures is that the black plastic on the handle is made of two pieces which run vertically along both sides of the handle and leaves a strip of the metal exposed. It doesn't seem to affect usability though. It's just something that was not apparent from the photos.