If you are an avid reader of The HotWire (and we assume that you all are), you will remember a recent post about the many different reels we use to store and ship our aircraft cable or wire rope (The Reel World).  After reading the article, you probably asked yourself: How do I specify the exact size of reel that I would like used for my order?

Well, the technical department here at The HotWire has put together a quick Reel Primer to educate you on “Speaking Reel”.

F T D : Flange- Traverse - Drum

This is how we call out the dimensions of a reel. The Flange is the “wheel” section on both sides of a reel. The measurement is of the diameter. The Traverse is the distance between the insides of the flange. This is a straight line dimension. The Drum is the section around which the aircraft cable or wire rope is wrapped. The measurement of the drum is also a diameter.

So to put it all together: if we say a reel is 24 x 10 x 16, we are saying that the Flange is 24” in diameter, the distance between the flanges is 10”, and the drum is 16” in diameter. Rather straight forward (or well rounded, since they are reels!).

And now you know how to speak “reel”!

When it comes time to ship your aircraft cable, tell your Product Manager if you have a special reel requirement. We'll do whatever it takes to meet your needs.