Seemed Like Such A Simple Project

[Bird]

Yep, Mike, I agree if I'm mixing it in a wheelbarrow, but then it always seemed that the water would not soak down into it well until you stirred it, including scraping the bottom to get the dry stuff up into the water, so if you put the water in first, seems that the dry stuff is heavy enough to fall on to the bottom and get wet in the process. But like I said, I don't know; just wondering. And of course, it may make no difference either way.

 

[MikePA]

I've also heard of people just dumping a bag of concrete mix in around a fence post and not adding any water, assuming that it will absorb moisture from the ground.

 

[Inspector507]

In a wheel barrow, tub, bucket or whatever I always did it dry mix first then added water to suit me.

 

[Harv]

Tony -

I have seen that "test cap" thingy you mention, but I didn't see one in the store when I was shopping. It would definitely be less vulnerable than having it stick up the way I have it now, but if the top of the sleeve were even with ground level, I would still be concerned about junk falling in while I was putting the pole in or out.

No matter how I do it, I'll always find something to worry about. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Bird -

<font color=blue>I wonder whether either way actually works better</font color=blue>

I can tell you that when I added the water, it took a loooooong time for it to fully sink in. Maybe an hour or so. I also wonder if these instructions are unique to the fast-setting stuff.

 

[DavidInNH]

I wonder if adding the mix first and then the water helps avoid those ugly grey splashes on the posts?

The first time I mixed in the hole was while helping my neighbor install a fence in '78 or so. He was a contractor and I was just providing labor. We added the mix first, then water and then I got to use a piece of rebar to mix it in the hole. I wish I would have seen Harv's directions...

-david

 

[Soundguy]

There are applications called soil cement, and cement is introduced to soil, then mixed , with water added. Works ( worked ) well. Not sure if anyone still uses it though.

Soundguy

 

[MossRoad]

<font color=blue>So for the first time that I can remember, I actually followed the instructions! </font color=blue>

Now I've totally lost all respect for you /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

Great job Harv! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

How come you didn't take a close up picture of your initials in the concrete?? /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>How come you didn't take a close up picture of your initials</font color=blue>

Dang! I knew I forgot something! Maybe I'd better start over... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[hosejockey2002]

And all these years like you I've been busting my butt mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow- but than again maybe what I really need is one of them 3-point PTO mixers!/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[dourobob]

I realized on reading the last part of this very entertaining string that I have one of those 3ph cement mixes - it came with the 1951 Ferguson 2085 tractor we bought when we purchased our farm 20 years ago. Just haven't had the time or a good enough reason to try and figure how to mount this unit 'cause the RediMix plant is only 12 minutes away.
Seems silly to me to ask if anyone has any experience with this type of implement 'cause someone always comes through on this board /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Any insights or suggestion on what to look for (and what not to do) would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bob

 

[fractal]

Well, seems the thread wound down so hope you don't mind me taking it a tad off topic..

MrP:

Where did you get your flagpole? I have been looking at the 20 ft patriot sectional pole available many places online for under 150-200, including sleeve. Figured it would be a good reason to use the phd..

Harv

Did the saltbox shed in the background come with the place or did you build it yourself?

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>Did the saltbox shed in the background come with the place or did you build it yourself?</font color=blue>

Everything on the property was built by or for my dad. The oddly shaped structure you see in the pictures is one that Pop built, and it is actually a type of solar-heated greenhouse. The long, sloped side of the roof (south-facing) is all glass, and the opposite wall is lined floor to ceiling with gallon glass jugs filled with water. The water jugs are heated by the sun's rays all day, and at night they give off the heat, keeping a surprisingly constant temperature inside the building.

I can't remember exactly why, but the water in the jugs is colored, and they're not all the same. I think it has to do with regulating how fast/slow each absorbs and then gives up the heat. Somewhere in Pop's stuff I think I came across a book about such houses, but I don't have it with me.

Where did he get so many gallon jugs? Well, let's put it this way... I can't remember a day gone by when both my parents weren't sipping a glass of Gallo wine.

 

[MrP]

Fractal,

My wife gave it to me for my birthday (just after 9/11). She bought it locally in VA (although it was delivered from MN I think). The total cost was about $500 with the flag. The pole is one large piece of aluminum and tapers from 5" to 3" (I think). I would definately recommend it.

I did use the PHD to put it in, however, some shovel work was requred to bell the hole. It's a shame I didn't take a photo journal.

 

[Inspector507]

Thats the kind of flag pole I want to put in.......but I'm a little strapped for cash.....so I might go with the lesser priced model and see how it hold up.

 

[Moon]

Nice Pic!!!! Thats a mighty fine view you have there MrP!

 

[MrP]

If you do a little internet shopping, you can put a package together for alot less than it cost me.

Check out:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.aflag.com/cgi-bin/Web_store/web_store.cgi?page=residential_poles.html&cart_id=3198360.13367>Residential Flagpoles</A>

Although, I think mine may be the commercial grade:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.aflag.com/cgi-bin/Web_store/web_store.cgi?page=commercial_sizing.html&cart_id=3198360.13367>Commercial Flagpoles</A>

 

[NoTrespassing]

I put up a homemade flag pole made out of galvanized pipe. It's a lot cheaper and looks just fine to me. You can go as big as you like. I used 1 1/2", two sections. If I was going to go three sections I would have used 2" pipe. I buried a 3ft. piece in concrete and the pole slips right in. I can simply pull the pole up if I need to. See pic.

Kevin