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Large wooden spools
Large wooden spools, 60 to 96 inches across, for farms, landscaping, displays, event sets and big tables, as well as for cable. They are heavy, so the questions are weight, moving and where they will stand.
How heavy they are
We work out empty weights from the wood: two flange discs plus the stave shell of the drum, at a density of 28 to 40 pounds per cubic foot for dry to damp softwood. The ranges below are for common builds; a particular reel can fall outside them. The reel weights guide shows the method.
| Flange | Typical traverse | Estimated empty weight |
|---|---|---|
| 60 in | 28 to 36 in | 300 to 600 lb |
| 72 in | 32 to 42 in | 450 to 900 lb |
| 84 in | 36 to 48 in | 700 to 1,350 lb |
| 96 in | 42 to 54 in | 950 to 2,000 lb |
None of these is a two-person lift. A 72-inch reel stood on edge is taller than most people and can roll with real force on a slope.
Uses we hear about
- Farms: hose and fence-wire storage, feed tables, shade frames.
- Landscaping: raised features, water-feature bases, play structures (sealed and anchored).
- Displays: shop windows, trade-show stands, wedding and event sets.
- Big tables: a 72-inch flange makes a table top for eight or more.
- Cable: storing long runs of large feeder cable.
Delivery and placement
Large spools go out on a flatbed with forks. The truck needs firm, level ground to stand on and a clear path to where the spool is set down. Soft lawns, slopes and tight gates need planning: tell us what is between the street and the spot, and send a photo.
Once placed, lay the spool on a flange if it will stay put, or chock it well if it stands on edge. Kids climb on big spools; anchor them if that is the plan.
Finishing a big spool
Large spools are rough-sawn and weathered. Expect to spend a day with a sander and a pry bar to make a 72-inch top smooth enough for a table. Exterior oil or spar varnish protects it; reapply yearly if it stays outdoors. For landscaping, leave the wood natural and set it on gravel so the bottom flange drains.
Why big spools are scarce
Reels of 72 inches and over carry heavy feeder, utility and industrial cable, and a large share of them belong to the cable maker or a utility. Those go back on the maker's truck and never reach the resale market. The one-way large reels that remain come from contractors and plants, a few at a time.
If you need a matched pair or a set for an event, ask early. We hold suitable reels as they come through pickups, and tell you when the set is complete.
Questions
How much does a large wooden spool weigh?
Empty, roughly 300 to 600 pounds at 60 inches and 950 to 2,000 pounds at 96 inches, depending on the build and how damp the wood is. We work it out from the wood volume.
Can a 72-inch spool go in a back yard?
If there is a clear, firm path wide enough for forks. Send a photo of the route and we say whether it can be done.
Are large spools safe for children to play on?
Only when sound, sanded, sealed and anchored so they can't roll or tip. Check them every season for loose boards and protruding nails.
Can you find two identical large spools?
Usually, given time. Matched large reels depend on pickups, so ask early and we hold them as they arrive.
Reel words on this page
- Flange
- The round side discs that hold the cable in. Flange diameter, edge to edge, is the size a reel is known by.
- Drum (barrel)
- The cylinder between the flanges that the cable winds around.
- Traverse
- The inside width between the flanges: how wide a layer of cable can be.
- Arbor hole
- The centre hole a spindle, shaft or payoff bar passes through.
- Payoff
- The stand or trailer a reel turns on while cable is pulled off it.
Ask for a spool or a quote
Work order received
- Reference
- Request
Next we read what you sent, sort the reels by tag and condition, and come back with what we buy, where returnables go, and a pickup day for your corridor. If it helps, reply with a photo of the stack and the reel tags.