Cable reel

[citation needed] Discarded wooden reels can often be obtained cheaply and are, owing to their shape, commonly used as furniture (usually coffee tables) for college students and others seeking inexpensive furnishings.

[citation needed] Plywood reels are used for transporting lighter loads and are a cheaper alternative to other types of drums, used extensively in the building industry and by commercial electricians.

[citation needed] Often manufactured from recycled plastic, these reels are environmentally friendly and used for lighter weight cables.

In most cases, the cables on these reels carry mains electricity, though a similar mechanism is used for air hoses.

Retractable cable reels are particularly useful for environments where access to electricity or air is needed in a wide variety of places.