An improved cable reel stand for rotational support of a cable reel comprising a spool and a length of cable wound thereon, which spool is carriable by an axle spanning axially through said spool. Two stanchions of the stands carry two respective axle cradles, of which on is neighboured by a brake selectively couplable to the axle by a coupling of non-circular profile that cooperates with non-circular internal profiles of the brake and the axle to provide rotational interlocking thereof. The axle cradles are roller cradles serving to self-align the axle into a properly seated position atop two adjacent cradle rollers, and are equipped with hold-downs for positive capture of the seated axle. The axle features a circumferential V-groove for mating with tapered cradle rollers at one of the axle cradles.