Flag Pole

After admiring TennDon's PVC flag pole this weekend.. I looked up the plans.. you can build one too.

click on this link for flagpole plans you can download (pdf file):

http://www.hometownsitedesign.com/rotatingflagpole.pdf

this looks pretty simple.. I think I am gonna build one. The only part I am unfamiliar with is the "bale type slip pin" I should have looked at Don's flagpole a little closer.

I am sure you could just use something that can be easily removed.. so the pieces can come apart for storage. But what is a Bale Type Slip Pin?

I don't know what a bale slip pen is. I used a screw with a wing nut. That seemed like a better way to go for the portability. Now I am planning to build another that will be a double to hold an orange flag and that color Lisa likes.

Don.. yea.. I thought a wing nut might be pretty easy too.. good idea.

also.. does the PVC pipe just turn (with the wind) on the rod you put in the ground?? Does it turn easily? I imagine the washer on the end helps.

Chuck, that flat washer on the rod allows it to spin pretty freely.

Chuck, the bale type slip pin is something you peobably know by name. It's the kind of pin most people use to hold the tailgate up on a utility trailer. You put it through a hole and the c-shaped wire "bale or bail" pulls over and slips over the end of the pin.

you can find them at Lowes here: http://www.lowes.com/pd_218532-37672-882697_0_?productId=3024939&Ntt=pin&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=pin

they are in the hardware isle, near the front of the store, on the left, in the drawers.

Well I was going to look up the bale pin. Thanks for doing it for me.

I am familiar with those.. I think I'll use a wing nut.. and a bolt.

I don't know if I have been looking at the wrong pvc at Lowes, but the 3/4 looks awfully small.

I looked at Don's flagpole assembly at COVE LAKE.. don't remember the PVC being too small.. I am sure he can confirm the size he used.

This is a project I hope to have completed before RIVER PLANTATION.

That was what I was thinking Chuck. When I went to Lowes, the 3/4 looked awfully small. The 1 1/4 looked about the same as Don's.

I did a little research and have found people who use 1 inch instead of 3/4 inch PVC. Also they used a 7/8 piece of pipe (or rebar) so its a little smaller than the 1 inch PVC.. allowing it to slip over the pipe easier.

Thanks Chuck. I was thinking of using the 1 inch. The rest of the plans should work. I am guessing but would say that you use the plumbers glue to connect the pipes.

make sure you adjust the rest of the pieces to 1 inch PVC.. the "T" and "45". I think the plumbers glue would work.. or super glue.

PVC glue actually chemical welds the pieces together. It will hold far better than super glue, and is cheaper.

Don.. give us your opinion on the thickness of the PVC.

I picked up everything I need to build the flagpole today at HOME DEPOT. After looking at the PVC at the store.. I stayed with the 3/4 inch size. I think it is just right for the flagpole. I will probably put it together early next week.. when I have a day off. I think it will be a pretty easy project.. maybe an hour or less.

I think I spent about $13.. I already have a flag.

Sorry for not getting back to you, Chuck. Been in Crossville all week on another vacation. Sounds like you got the right stuff for the flagpole. I just used whatever the web plans called for. Should have stopped today as I came through Clinton and built it for you!!

I'll have to check out Chuck's flag pole before I try to build one. Don if your heading up this way, your more than welcome to build me one.

I'm just so proud of you guys for shopping at Home Depot for camping accessories! Making stuff out of PVC for the camper, it just makes myheart leap to think of it. My plan is to wait till Chuck see's a better design for a flagpole, and then I'll buy his "old one" for $7.00 or so.

Heck Richard. I was going to come to your house, so you could take me to the Home Depot or Lowes, just to show me where every thing is at.

I finished the flag pole today.. it took about an hour.. but I think I could build a second one in about 30 minutes. Had a couple of mis-measurements I had to do over. anyway.. here's a few pictures:

Parts for flag pole:


The 3 foot rod that you drive in the ground:


Bottom of the rod with the flat washer.. The washer lets the pole turn freely when the wind blows:


The bottom (4ft) PVC section, the 45 elbow and a 1 foot section of PVC, over the rod:


This is the PVC "T" with another 4ft pc and a 1ft pc glued into either end (hole drilled for bolt and nut):


"T" section attached to upright (I used an eyebolt and wing nut here and on both flag attachements.. just to keep it simple... plus with the eye bolth here I could hang something on the pole if needed):


pole assemply complete:


Finished.. its hard to see in these photos, but I spray painted the pole silver. It covers up the printing on the PVC.. and makes the pole appear to be aluminum:






I might do another one and make it red, white and blue. Also thinking about making one with the bottom section of PVC about 6 ft instead of 4.

*one note: when putting the 2 eye bolts in the top section.. I didn't get them far enough apart. So I had to re-drill and move them. You can measure between the flag eylets.. but you need to allow extra for the rings that attach the flag to the eye bolts.. A little extra distance apart will help the flag to not sag.. and stay straight along the pole. (lesson learned)

Great looking job Chuck. I see you went with the 3/4 pvc. Did you glue it with pvc glue?

Couldn't really tell how the flag attaches in your photo's.

What kind of rod did you use to mount the pole on?

Tim.. I used super glue.. I already had it.. and couldnt see buying the PVC glue for such a small job. Actually the connections are so tight fitting.. you could almost get away with no glue.. but over time they might come loose.

I stayed with the 3/4 inch to cut down on weight.. its lighter than the one inch and it works fine.

The rod is just a 3 foot steel rod... or some kind of metal. They have several different sizes (thickness) in the nuts, bolts and screws dept at HOME DEPOT.

There are two eye bolts on the top section.. then I used small circular key rings to attach the flag to the eye bolts.

Thanks Chuck. I may just go to the Home Depot and get the stuff to build one. Would look great for the 4th of July.