Seemed Like Such A Simple Project

Harv · Apr 16, 2002

you may want to be careful about building a lightning rod in the middle of your yard

Now that's something I hadn't considered! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Another good reason to use the "sleeve" method, eh?

It's a steel pipe and will be sticking up 10 feet into the air. Lightning isn't a *huge* problem in the area, but it does happen. On the other hand (thinking out loud here), it's far shorter than the surrounding trees and the nearby house which sports a tall TV antenna. I didn't hear about any lightning strikes during the 28 years my family has owned the property, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

I'm still hoping to make the pole take-downable anyway. With y'all looking over my shoulder (at my invitation), I'd better make it a priority now.

Inspector507 · Apr 16, 2002

Harv,
Another reason to use the sleeve method, making it take-downable, especially a flag pole, is wind. When it bends at ground level due to high winds, just pull it out and cut it off. Ask me how I know /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

EdKing · Apr 16, 2002

Okay Jerry, I'll bite. How do you know ?/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Inspector507 · Apr 16, 2002

Ed,
The flagpole at the old house is 3 feet shorter than when it was installed. Bent it right at ground level. Pulled it out, cut it off, slid it right back in. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

EdKing · Apr 16, 2002

Must have been some pretty high winds to bend over a flagpole!!!/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Boomerboy · Apr 16, 2002

MrP

Can't help but love that flag....great sky too....Great looking property; king of the hill huh?!? /w3tcompact/icons/king.gif Way To Go! The only thing that would make this a truely American picture, is to have that tractor in the picture!

Seat Hours MAke The Difference!

jhburke · Apr 17, 2002

I bought an aluminumn (sp) collapseable pole. It went in a pvc ground tube. I put 2 80# bags of sakcrete in the base. 2 days later we had a wind storm and laid it over on the ground. Added 3 more 80# bags. Hasn't blown over since.

Harv · Apr 17, 2002

had a wind storm and laid it over on the ground

You mean the surrounding soil gave way? If so, how deep was it sunk, and how would you describe that soil? My soil is pretty darned stubborn.

Inspector507 · Apr 17, 2002

Mine wasn't the base that moved............the pole bent over /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

jhburke · Apr 17, 2002

It was 2' in the ground and a 20' pole. The ground is black dirt in a flower bed.

8NTX · Apr 17, 2002

You guys are great./w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif I just bought an 18' flagpole and was about to plant it, per instructions, using just 1 bag of concrete. But the PVC sleeve is a great idea. Why didn't the flagpole manufacturer think of that?

MrP · Apr 17, 2002

8NTX,

Actually mine did come with the sleeve. I installed it per the manufacturer's instructions. If you didn't get one, just head on down to the hardware store. It is just a piece of PVC.

Here is how I planted the pole:
1. Dug a 12" hole 30" deep with my PHD.
2. Used a shovel to "bell" the hole.
3. Dumped 1 1/2 bags of play sand in the hole.
4. Put sleeve in middle of hole.
5. Filled in rest of hole with 2 bags of quickrete.
6. Put flag in sleeve before concrete cured and plumbed sleeve.
7. Quickly removed pole and waited 24 hours.
8. Insert Pole - Raise flag!

We have had recorded gusts of over 80mph in the last six months. The name of the place I live is "Windy Hill". We do have clay soil, but the flag pole has been rock solid.

I'll have to take some more pics of the flag with the tractor in front. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Harv · Apr 18, 2002

Hey, thanks, MrP!

I was wondering exactly how I was going to plumb a ten-foot pole. Without a sleeve I'd have to somehow, maybe by running lines from the top, secure the thing in a perfectly vertical position before I pour the redi-mix.

With the sleeve approach, it's just as you say -- take my best shot at verticalizing (I love to invent words /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif) the sleeve and then use the pole itself with a plumb bob hanging off it while the cement is still wet for final adjustments. Cool. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Jeez!!! I'd better get cracking at finding a sleeve.

Egon · Apr 18, 2002

Harv:

You can also use cicular bubble level made just for this type of application and is sold at at most hardware stores for under $10.00

Egon

MrP · Apr 18, 2002

Harv,

It worked very well for me. I would recommend having one person hold the sleeve after you plumb the pole while you remove the pole from the sleeve.

Correction to my e-mail above:

3. 1 bag of rocks first in the hole, then 1 1/2 bags of sand.

Here is another pic of the flag from a different angle. You can just barely see the tractor in the garage and my wife washing her car and the barn in the background.

Soundguy · Apr 18, 2002

Another good reason to use a sleeve is to keep the concrete from reacting with the aluminum.

Soundguy

hosejockey2002 · Apr 19, 2002

When you're a proud papa walking her down the aisle the tetherball project will seem like yesterday...... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Harv · Apr 19, 2002

When you're a proud papa walking her down the aisle...

Ain't never gonna happen! She told me just tonight that boys are yukky!!! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Slamfire · Apr 19, 2002

Yes but the aliens will steal her on her 13th birthday and substitute a monster who acts in ways noone can understand.

dourobob · Apr 19, 2002

She is young Harv, enjoy it while you can 'cause that alien ... well you just never know when it may appear. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif But you will always have your memories. Perhaps you won't need to be concerned at all until you hear her say "yukky - and that's a good thing". Yikes!