a cable reel comprising a drum and side flanges molded of plastic is of sufficient size , strength and rigidity to carry loads in excess of 10 , 000 lbs . without significant distortion or flattening . the required strength and rigidity are achieved by molding the side flanges so that they tend to assume a dished configuration that is substantially flattened when the side flanges are bolted by tie - rods to the ends of the drum all of which prestresses the side flanges . the tie rods have threaded ends for receiving bolts that secure the side flanges to the drum and serve to reinforce the final structure . during curing of each reel component while it is still in the mold , shrinkage of the component is resisted so as to increase the strength of the component . the drum comprises at least two sections and the reel may be easily disassembled and the parts stacked for storage and shipment as a compact package . the reel components are preferably molded of recycled plastic comprising a mixture of high density and low density polyethylene derived from post - consumer plastic waste .