building a flagpole
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
building a flagpole
Hey, Guys...
I used to have 2 flagpoles on my propety ; the front one was hit/run over, and the back one rusted down . We're on a lake and it's kinda hard to find the place ; I'd like to have a mast ~40-50+' tall and fly as big of a flag as I can.
Both of my old ones were homemade ( by the previous owner) , out of pipe ; a smaller diameter slipped into a larger diameter , and the 2 pieces were welded together.
I'm gonna get ( buy myself) a welder for Christmas , and I thought this might be a good 1st project. Doable?
I've done a little research, and I'm OK the w/base in a footer, the truck/top, rigging, lighting,etc. What I'm not sure on is the type and size of pipe that will fit od/id , and things like can I weld a coupler on the same size pipe ( for more reach) , etc. I had a Purple Martin house that didn't do to well on a pole I put together w/threaded fitting ; in Central FL, we get our share of storms.
what do y'all think / any advise ?
thanks,
workinman
I used to have 2 flagpoles on my propety ; the front one was hit/run over, and the back one rusted down . We're on a lake and it's kinda hard to find the place ; I'd like to have a mast ~40-50+' tall and fly as big of a flag as I can.
Both of my old ones were homemade ( by the previous owner) , out of pipe ; a smaller diameter slipped into a larger diameter , and the 2 pieces were welded together.
I'm gonna get ( buy myself) a welder for Christmas , and I thought this might be a good 1st project. Doable?
I've done a little research, and I'm OK the w/base in a footer, the truck/top, rigging, lighting,etc. What I'm not sure on is the type and size of pipe that will fit od/id , and things like can I weld a coupler on the same size pipe ( for more reach) , etc. I had a Purple Martin house that didn't do to well on a pole I put together w/threaded fitting ; in Central FL, we get our share of storms.
what do y'all think / any advise ?
thanks,
workinman
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Maine
My grandfather built a flagpole out of pipe in front of his house. Not very high, I'd guess 25'. He put a pipe into the ground, and then used screw couplers to assemble the pole, which fits inside the pipe in the ground. It just sits there, you can pick it up if you want to (makes it easy to replace the rope...) but that doesn't seem to be a problem. I'm not sure how far into the ground it goes, but I think it's a couple of feet.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 907
Likes: 0
From: Citrus Heights, CA
Commercial flagpoles in the 40-50' size range are pretty substantial so that they can handle high winds. The ones I have seen are about 8-10" in diameter at the base and taper all the way to the top to help reduce weight aloft. They are also generally made of aluminum. Painted steel flagpoles are generally much shorter.
If you are certain you want to weld together a flagpole out of tubing, consider incorporating some wire-rope "side stays" (look at how a sailboat mast is supported) to keep high wind from blowing it over. You might even consider looking around your local boat yards and see if there is a used/damaged sailboat mast of the size you need and adapt it to suit your needs.
If you are certain you want to weld together a flagpole out of tubing, consider incorporating some wire-rope "side stays" (look at how a sailboat mast is supported) to keep high wind from blowing it over. You might even consider looking around your local boat yards and see if there is a used/damaged sailboat mast of the size you need and adapt it to suit your needs.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
Our flagpole is made from lengths of 3" pipe welded together at the joints. Threaded couplings would also work.
Remember that you will need to take the flagpole down for maintenance on the rollers and pulleys or anythng else that is installed on the top. A 30 to 40 foot length of pipe is heavy.
Our solution was to put two pieces of 4" channel steel into a concrete base. The flagpole stands between the two pieces of channel. Two steel bolts go through the channel and the flagpole.
To lower the flagpole, just unbolt the lower bolt and the whole thing pivots around the upper bolt. A strong line permanently attached to the top of the flagpole allows the pole to be controlled while lowering it. Lowering the flagpole without the line attached to the top is *quite* an adventure.
Lou Braun
Remember that you will need to take the flagpole down for maintenance on the rollers and pulleys or anythng else that is installed on the top. A 30 to 40 foot length of pipe is heavy.
Our solution was to put two pieces of 4" channel steel into a concrete base. The flagpole stands between the two pieces of channel. Two steel bolts go through the channel and the flagpole.
To lower the flagpole, just unbolt the lower bolt and the whole thing pivots around the upper bolt. A strong line permanently attached to the top of the flagpole allows the pole to be controlled while lowering it. Lowering the flagpole without the line attached to the top is *quite* an adventure.
Lou Braun
