DerbyDad03 wrote:

I put the plug end through one of the holes in the side of the reel,
and left about 6 feet hanging out. I then wrapped the rest of the cord
around the reel in the normal fashion. Once the cord is fully coiled
on the reel, I wrapped the 6 feet that was hanging loose around the
reel.

What this allows me to do is unwrap the 6 foot length that has the
plug, plug it it into an outlet and lay the reel on the ground. I can
now un-reel only as much of the receptacle end as I need.

The reason for the 6 feet is that all of my garage receptacles and and
the receptacle under my raised deck are 4 - 5 feet off of the ground.
If I started wrapping the plug end tight against the reel, I'd have to
unwrap the full cord in order to plug it in.

Why not do it the other way round? Poke the socket end through the reel's
side holes, without an extra 6 feet. Then just wrap the whole rest of it
round the reel, ending with the plug. To use, place the reel near the
equipment you want to power, and un-reel as much as you need to reach the
socket in the garage (or plug it straight in in the garage and start
unreeling towards the equipment).

That way it's just like the shop-bought reels which come with a socket or
four built into the hub of the reel.