Advice on Building A Flagpole

[Bat Guano]

OK, it's time. I want to put up a sturdy, serviceable flagpole perhaps 15-18 feet in height. The ground here is mixed soil, sand, and rock, but I can get a hole in there for a base. Not sure about guy wires, but the winds here can and do get up to 50 mph--and more. We have very few days with no wind.

Would like to hear from people who have done this project, and any ideas and advice they might have on how to do it right.

I'd just like to see Old Glory (and maybe a Gadsen Flag) rippling in the wind out there.

 

[Bat Guano]

OK, it's time. I want to put up a sturdy, serviceable flagpole perhaps 15-18 feet in height. The ground here is mixed soil, sand, and rock, but I can get a hole in there for a base. Not sure about guy wires, but the winds here can and do get up to 50 mph--and more. We have very few days with no wind.

Would like to hear from people who have done this project, and any ideas and advice they might have on how to do it right.

I'd just like to see Old Glory (and maybe a Gadsen Flag) rippling in the wind out there.

 

[S/W - Lifer]

Yep, done it. The flagpole came with a base and instructions. I used ready mix concrete, a level and a little eyeballing. No guy wires needed. The lowering line was junk and quickly rotted. Put in a better quality line and the rig is better than new.

All in all, an easy job.

 

[crofoot629]

Man I’m just country half assed git-er-done engineer.
I’d dig a hole 3feet deep, put the pole in and filler up with redi mix.

If it didn’t work THEN I’d ask someone.

And yes I end up asking a lot.

Emory

 

[zercool]

Originally posted by crofoot629:
Man I’m just country half assed git-er-done engineer.
I’d dig a hole 3feet deep, put the pole in and filler up with redi mix.

If it didn’t work THEN I’d ask someone.

And yes I end up asking a lot.

Emory

Guess that makes me a redneck over-engineer ... I'd dig a hole to about 1/4-1/3 the above-ground height. An 18' (above ground) pole would get a 4-5' hole.

 

[m1gunner]

Originally posted by zercool:

Originally posted by crofoot629:
Man I’m just country half assed git-er-done engineer.
I’d dig a hole 3feet deep, put the pole in and filler up with redi mix.

If it didn’t work THEN I’d ask someone.

And yes I end up asking a lot.

Emory

Guess that makes me a redneck over-engineer ... I'd dig a hole to about 1/4-1/3 the above-ground height. An 18' (above ground) pole would get a 4-5' hole.

I watched the power company instal new 110' concrete poles to hold power lines. They dug a tight fitting hole 10' deep and dropped the poles in with a crane. Made sure it was verticle, and tamped the earth around the base, no concrete added.

2 weeks later they ran their wires, those poles are still standing 10 years later.

 

[roundgunner]

For my pole I dug a hole 3 feet deep. Then got the flag pole and 2 other poles about 4 feet long. I lined them up so the 2 short ones go into the ground then the long one goes between them, drilled a hole thru all three about 3 inches off the ground with another thru all 3 close to the top of the short ones.

When you have to replace the line you just remove 1 bolt. Lower the pole, replace the line lift it back up and put the bolt back in.

 

[cudamank]

Mine I sunk a 6' pole 3' in ground with concement. The actual flag pole is a 20' pole sunk into the first pole. But I think I need another 10' of pole so I can fly a larger flag.

 

[klondike]

Posted 29 March 2009 09:33 PM Hide Post
For my pole I dug a hole 3 feet deep. Then got the flag pole and 2 other poles about 4 feet long. I lined them up so the 2 short ones go into the ground then the long one goes between them, drilled a hole thru all three about 3 inches off the ground with another thru all 3 close to the top of the short ones.

When you have to replace the line you just remove 1 bolt. Lower the pole, replace the line lift it back up and put the bolt back in.

I have built a 20" pole using this method. It is important to be able to lower the mast in order to maintain the wood, pulley, and halyard.

 

[Amici]

I bought one of those telescoping flag pole sets. It came with the PVC pipe and instructions for installation and 2 flags (your choice).

The advantage of the telescoping poles is NO lines to tangle, wear out or clang against the pole.

Oh - they come in different colors and anodized aluminum does not need to be painted.

 

[klondike]

I bought one of those telescoping flag pole sets

That would be neat. Rig it with a remote control so that it comes out of a hole in the yard on holidays. Hmmm this could be a money maker for someone.

 

[armadillo]

I believe that the general rule is 1' deep for every 7' of pole - that is 1' in the ground and 6' above the ground.

 

[socal s&w]

I also bought one of those aluminum telescoping poles with a PVC pipe for burial. They recommend a 36" deep hole minimum with concrete.
The pole extends to 20', it can go less if you want it to. The only thing that is odd about using this pole is that during wet weather, it collects rain in the lower section of the pole and when you telescope the upper sections into the lower, it's best that you stand to the side or you will get wet. Pressure is created when you drop the top sections down, kind of like a pump, and it will squirt out of the lower hole that is there for the spring loaded 'button' that stops that section.

I also bought a solar spotlight so that the Flag can remain up during the night. It really works well.

There is a lot to Flag etiquette and respect, as there should be.

 

[cudamank]

As much as I hate to bring up the subject, here it goes. If you live in a HOA, you might want to check your rules. My personal belief is their should be few rules concerning the flag, and they would be how to treat it with respect, weather and lighting of it.

 

[rburg]

Originally posted by cudamank:
As much as I hate to bring up the subject, here it goes. If you live in a HOA, you might want to check your rules. My personal belief is their should be few rules concerning the flag, and they would be how to treat it with respect, weather and lighting of it.

Pretty good post. While I would never live where there is a HOA, I'm of the opinion the rules should be obeyed. Yes, like lighting the flag at night. Banning all flag poles is way over the top, but requiring anyone who displays it to do so correctly should be the least they demand.

 

[Jst1mr]

Don't know where you're from, but if applicable make sure your footing is below frost line or your pole may end up crooked - a fate none of us wants.