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Mounting the Southwire Electric Cord Reel on Your Milwaukee Toolbox

Hey everyone, Brian with Workshop Adhikam here, and today we’re going to show you how to mount a Southwire electric cord reel to the side of a Milwaukee 46-inch toolbox. This simple 5-minute install will help solve the problem of losing electrical cords around the workshop, making your workspace more efficient and organized.

Finding The Right Electric Cord Reel

First of all, you need to find a high-quality electric cord reel for this install. I searched all over the web and ended up at Fastool Now, where I found the Southwire model, which is a 14-3 wire and 13 amp rated. You will also find many other models that are a 16-3 wire and 10 amp rated. The Southwire reel has a smooth and easy reeling mechanism, which was a key factor in my decision. If you have any recommendations of other reels, feel free to post them in the description to help others out.

Mounting the Electric Cord Reel

Mounting the Southwire electric cord reel on the side of your toolbox is a quick and simple process. Start by removing the mounting plate on the back of the reel, which is held in place by a nut and bolt. Next, determine where you want to mount the reel on your toolbox. I decided to use the middle screw and drilled two additional holes to secure the mounting plate.

To drill the holes accurately, I applied masking tape to the toolbox and marked the locations of the holes. I then placed the mounting plate in a vise, applied masking tape over the tool, and used a punch to mark the hole locations before drilling them out with a quarter-inch bit. If your holes are not perfectly aligned, simply enlarge them slightly for a better fit.

The bolts used to secure the mounting plate to the toolbox came with the toolbox itself. After attaching the mounting plate, you can slide the electric cord reel into place and drop the top holder in to secure it. You can use the nut provided with the reel to hold it in place, but I found that gravity did a great job of keeping it secure, and this makes it easier to remove the reel if necessary.

Using The Electric Cord Reel

This quick and inexpensive modification allows you to make use of the plugs on the side of the toolbox without having to mount anything to the wall. While this solution may not work for everyone, it has been incredibly useful in my workshop. By having the electric cord reel mounted on the side of the toolbox, it’s easier to access the tools you need without having to search for lost cords.

Other Great Tools from Fastool Now

While browsing Fastool Now’s website for the Southwire electric cord reel, I also discovered a few other tools that I thought would be useful for various projects in my workshop:

Compact Wire Strippers

These small wire strippers are perfect for working on cars, as they can comfortably fit into tight spaces. Though they were designed for electricians, I found them incredibly helpful for projects such as my Corvette and Travis Mills Foundation Jeep builds.

Terminal Crimpers

Made in the USA, these high-quality terminal crimpers feature a sturdy crimping mechanism. I frequently use these for butt connections when working on outdoor power equipment, such as my mower’s perimeter wire.

Ergonomic Wire Strippers

Another made-in-the-USA tool, these ergonomic wire strippers are a must-have in any workshop. They provide a comfortable grip and efficient wire stripping capability.

Eight-Inch Cutters

Finally, these USA-made eight-inch cutters are incredibly versatile, making them perfect for cutting through fuel lines, vacuum lines, and various other materials.

Conclusion

I hope this modification to the Milwaukee toolbox helps you make your workspace more efficient and organized. By mounting the Southwire electric cord reel on the side of your toolbox, you’re able to easily access cords and plugs without having to search for them or take up valuable wall space.

So, that’s it for our quick install guide and tool recommendations. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share — we have plenty of cool tools, projects, and automotive content coming your way. Thanks for your time, and have a great day!

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