Abstract: A wire storage reel includes a pair of resilient walls forming inner and outer annular wire storage cavities together with closure means which selectively operates to separate the cavities. The closure means comprise applying external pressure to the wall portions of the outer end of the inner cavity to close the inner cavity. In use, the wire is clamped to a winding mechanism and is initially wound on the reel with the inner cavity closed. The inner cavity is opened when the desired length of wire is wound on the reel. The winding mechanism is then released from the reel and the inner cavity is opened so that the winding mechanism may be rotated to a position wherein the leading and trailing ends of the wire protrude from the reel in a predetermined relationship.