Tool Review: Reelcraft DP7850 OLP reel

July 5, 2013
Techs that use air tools appreciate reel that streamlines shop efficiency.

The Reelcraft Industries DP7850 OLP reel has a dual pedestal base design that offers stability while being compact. The reel also successfully passed independent testing to mil-spec standards, proving it can stand up to heavy vibration. The reel benefits from being the only two-piece, non-welded, interlocking base in its class. It will not vibrate apart for use on vehicle-mounted applications. The patent-pending, interlocking steel-formed and stamped base design makes the base assembly especially strong, compact and resistant to vibration.

The review

Eric Moore, co-owner of DeMary Trucks in Columbus, OH, installed the Reelcraft DP7850 OLP reel in his shop to test out. Moore and his techs found the reel had a simple design and was very easy to use.

Moore advised the DP7850 reel came in handy and made jobs more efficient.

"In our shop, where every vehicle sees some sort of air tool usage, the Reelcraft DP7850 OLP was used on every single job that came through the bay where it was mounted," he explains.

Overall, Moore advises that the reel was "very useful" in his shop, "being that the technician no longer needed to wrap up the air line when they were done, or needed to move a jack or vehicle."

Moore says that in order to use the reel, "simply pull out the desired length of line until it clicks, then pull again to retract."

Although the reel did not come with a manual, Moore says installation was easy. "There were simple picture instructions for mounting and use on the packaging."

Moore and his techs had one suggestion to improve the tool. "Our technicians all agreed, that the tool functions excellently, but could use just a bit more recoil tension if only partially spooled out," says Moore. "I believe that they may have been wanting to leave air tools attached to the line, so they could retract the line and the tool out of the way, until needed again."

Overall, Moore said he and his techs gave the reel an average 9 to 9.5 out of ten. 

"This product is excellent in a busy shop environment, it promotes a neat work space and prevents tripping hazards by keeping the line off the ground."

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Editorial Director | Commercial Vehicle Group

Erica Schueller is the Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC),  the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).  

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.

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