Where to get a flag pole?

[Happy Camper]

We have a 5' x 9' United States of America flag we would love to fly but do not know where to get a pole. Probablly would need at least 20' to 25' above ground. Thanks for any suggestions.



Would like to get her out of the box and up where she belongs!

 

[Wayne M.]

Happy camper, There are a few designs that you can pull off yourself. One simple deal is what I see around here. It's simply long sections of pipe, large at the base like 2. 5 or 3" and reducing every few feet down to say 3/4" at the cap. The hardware is easily attached by drilling and using eyebolts to attach the blocks. I would say to make sure to anchor the base by going deep and use one of the round cardboard froms for fence posts with cement . I would think that everything you need can be gotten from Home depot.

Fly that flag! I just attached a small POW/MIA to the bottom of the 3X5 in front of my house.

 

[Happy Camper]

Wayne! Thanks for the suggestion. I went into town. No HomeBAse etc in this area,. Talked with the welding shop owner, he is building one next week and will build one for us. It will do it up right. 40' high to tell the whole world we are FREE!!! Hate to wait as would like it up now. Could have done it for less but there has been a lot of sacrifices out there so why not go for it a let it fly each and every day from now on.

 

[Wayne M.]

Happy camper, If you're going to go that route I would suggest he give you some provision to let the pole come down for servicing the top. The really well done poles all have some way to swing, usually by notching out a piece of I beam and making a pivot and lock bolt. I'm sure your blacksmith will know what to do- just ask for it. Good Luck!

 

[Happy Camper]

Thanks Wayne.

Yes he will provide 5" I beam to be set in concrete with a couple big pins to go thru and pin the pole in the upright position so is can be unpined and swing back to the ground. Originaly I was going to cement a pole in and I would have been up a crick with out a paddle. Hate to wait but it will be that much sweeter.

 

[rich m]

...never in the darkness...

While you're at it, install one or two spotlites, switched thru a photocell, that she may fly in illumination and be a beacon towards freedom that all may see, day or night.



For inclement weather, there's also a variant called a "storm flag" available, but I don't know why it's called that... maybe not made of cotton???



If it's going to be non-illuminated, then it must be taken down at the end of the day, that darkness never fall upon it.



You may already know the raising and lowering procedure, but, I suspect that many do not.



On the occasions that it's going to be at half-mast, it's raised quickly to the top of the pole, then lowered slowly to the 1/2 point.

At the end of the day, the Colors are again quickly re-raised to the top of the mast, then slowly brought down.





For one that large, you should really have help. In even a mild wind, it would be difficult to manage with any degree of dignity.



If you know some of the neighbor kids, see if you can make it a daily ritual with some of them. Raise it before school, and take it down after homework. I'm sure that (let me rephrase that) I hope that, even if the kid mightn't understand initially, that the parents would be more than happy to have him/her participate.



Flag Detail at Happy Camper's house could become one of those little pride-points that a kid takes to adulthood with him, and a unity-point in the neighborhood.



The accepted and proper details are to be found in a Boy Scout Manual, or in the USArmy's Drill and Ceremonies manual, the FM-22-5.



I love this idea!



Now, I want to put up a permanent one!

 

[Chad Sheets]

A 40' flagpole... YES! I thought 35 foot was big! How tall can you go before you have to have a red flashing light for the aircraft to see? Thats what I want... . love the home made ideas... keep em coming.



Might go out this week and see about getting a tall pole made up as well... change that, I will go out this week and have one made period.



I had one of those el-cheapo 20 foot ones cemented into the ground. I got radical and bought another kit and added another 10 foot to it. Needless to say is snapped like a twig one evening we were gone during a storm. I need something bullet proof!

Any special pipe to use? Seems like it would have to be mighty thick to withstand the wind.

 

[Happy Camper]

Chad. It is what is called thick walled pipe. Start with 4" 10' length slide next 10' length 2' into 1st section and weld, repeat until 40'. That way it tapers down in size as it goes up. Two 5" I beams cemented into the ground. The I beams above ground will have upper and lower holes drilled to match the same in the 4" 1st length pipe to pin into place so it can be removed to be worked on if necessary. Hope I can lift it into place. Will recruit my brothers (family) if required. I have 5 brothers and I and 2 brothers moved a 24 x 20 cabin set on supports up the hill and set on cement foundation when everyone looked at us as if we were crazy. (that is another subject). Moved with no, no structrual or window damage.



Oh! Yes. I will call the electric company for a locate for underground lines as required by law before I dig the hole.







GO FOR IT!

 

[rich m]

lifting....oooooh,now that can be treacherous...

make yourself 3-4 lift poles of varying lengths, so that you and your brothers can distribute the lifting stress evenly over the length of the flagpole--longest should be at least 35',



start with the shortest, and simply hand-lifting the pole. . as the end rises, and the last guy can no longer reach his section by hand, he picks up the short pole (probably 8') and begins to use it. When the 2nd-last guy can't reach his part, he picks up a piece and continues the lift.



For safety, have a long rope anchored to something heavy (like a Dodge Pickup ) and attached to pole about 1/2 way up... . the belay man shouldn't be applying lift tension, only taking up slack to prevent, or at least control a fall... . once the thing passes 60-75* approaching vertical, the rope can be used for final positioning, and holding while the lock-pins are installed. .



lift pole design

simple pieces of light-duty plumbing, each utilizing a "tee" and 2 elbows, so that it will look a little like a letter "Y"... . Save'em for use during maintenance takedowns

 

[Happy Camper]

First I think I will lay it on the ground and mark a complete circle of the DANGER ZONE What you suggest sounds workable and I think the Dodge will stay out of the customization range. I may bolt a strap or straps on the back side of the I beams to keep it from going over too far if something does not go as planned. Murphys law is always around the corner.

 

[Chad Sheets]

For inclement weather, there's also a variant called a "storm flag" available, but I don't know why it's called that... maybe not made of cotton???

Post Flag = 10x19 foot, flown in fair weather except on Sundays and national holidays.



Storm Flag = 5x9'6", flown during foul weather.



Garrison Flag = 20x38 foot, flown on Sundays and national holidays... . but never from a flagpole less than 65 foot in length.



At least thats how it is in the Corps. Just as long as it doesnt hit the deck, get dirty, or fly all tathered, I doubt anyone will care. I see alot of flags hanging on houses. Any time you do that, the blue field ALWAYS goes in the top left corner as you look at it from the street. I have seen alot of variations, but I know their heart is in the right place.



A 65 foot flag pole... whoooooo hooooo!

 

[illflem]

rich m's advice about the lift poles is essential. I helped a friend lift his 40' ham antenna mast without lift poles a couple months ago, we were about 3/4s of the way up when it bent in half !!!

 

[Happy Camper]

Chad. Thanks for the info. We have the 5 x 9 1/2. I would like to see California cover the HOLLYWOOOD sign on the hill with the American Flag. 65'?? Here comes the flashing red lights



I see tathered flags and that is why I more than likely will not fly of a night with a light as we get a lot of wind which can last for 5 or 6 days. Day time flying will last twice as long. Unfortunately for the Flag but lucky for me, we have only 4 other houses in the area but it should be visable from the highway about 1/4 mile away. I hope it will spur the neighbors to display the Stars and Stripes for EVER!