FLAGPOLE HELP NEEDED

[OLDFED]

I bought a bigger flagpole at at an estate sale and need the proper sized pipe for a concrete base. The 2 5/8" OD pole needs a pipe that size or a bit larger. I tried the big box stores for PVC and ABS but they're either too big or small. Any suggestions for a 2 5/8" or 2 3/4" ID pipe? Thank you!

 

[jagular]

Not much help to your original question but you could always go a smaller diameter pipe for the base and then bolt through them both at the top and bottom to make a very rigid connection.

*Edit - Try a non-big box store also. There are steel/pvc suppliers you could check with. Most might be suited for contractors but they will still sell to the general public.

 

[PA Reb]

In case you can't find the diameter pipe you're looking for, I watched a professional "flag pole installer" use this method once - He cemented a 3 1/2' length of pipe in the ground that was actually bigger in diameter than what he needed. After the concrete setup, he stood the pole upright inside the length of pipe and, using his 3' level, wedged the pole in place with four wooden wedges. He then poured fine sand inside the pipe (between the OD of the pipe and the OD of the pole itself) and used a homemade "L" shaped 1/4" rod as a tamper as he filled it up. That was ten years ago and the pole is just a firm today as it was when he finished it.

 

[arjay]

You might try a plumbing supply house.

 

[jaykellogg]

Could you use a 3" piece of Schedule 40 and make one split in it. Cut some material out and use automotive hose clamps to reduce it to between 2 5/8" and 2 3/4"? If there is a small gap, you can just tape it.

 

[Pete99004]

Check out the chain link fence posts for corners which is a bit larger in size then the standard post. Might find something that will work for you there.

Pete

 

[blujax01]

More info than you'll ever need about pipe diameters. It looks like 3" Class B cast iron pipe with an ID of 3.12 is the ticket? Or 3" Schedule 40 PVC?

Notes on Pipe

After you determine the diameter you need, Google your zip code and the pipe type/size.

 

[vigil617]

Oldfed, there's not a nominal 2 3/4" pipe size; pipe goes from 2 1/2" to 3", which are too small and too big for what you are ideally looking for. Your only hope (small) would be to find 3" outside diamter round steel tubing with a 1/8" or 3/16" wall thickness. It's commonly made, but not usually sold in pieces as short as you need. A fabrication shop might have some, or a machine shop, but you could spend a lot of time looking.

I like the previous ideas on here about going with a smaller size and through-bolting it, or using 3" pipe and either splitting it lengthwise and clamping it, or filling it with tamped-down sand.

This Forum is a wealth of creative, practical-minded folks!

Oh, and FWIW, a piece of 3" square tube with a 1/8 or 3/16 wall probably would work, too, especially if you're going to backfill it with sand. Round peg, square hole, but still..... Might be easier to find at a fab shop than the round steel tube, but all in all, pipe is going to be your best (and cheapest) option I suspect.

 

[Alk8944]

PA Reb's answer is the correct one! I don't know the URL but if you simply "Google" flagpoles you will find more than one that will give instructions on how to install a flagpole properly, and the description will be exactly what PA Reb has given, except in a bit more detail.

Here is a good set of instructions: http://www.theflagpoleco.com/inin.html

 

[OLDFED]

Typically, you gentlemen are full of good ideas! Many thanks...I'll do the sand fill.