Making a Flagpole

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Making a Flagpole

Making a flagpole to displaying a flag in your yard speaks a lot about the occupants of the home. Not only does the display of the flag represent pride in nation, it also represents the pride and patrosim of the home owner regardless if the owner is a veteran or not. The activities of so many of our military personnel around the world in the past several years has generated a renewed sense of national spirit and patriotism that is commonly displayed quietly and privately by displaying the flag. Displaying the flag also demonstrates support for those who are and have served the nation and its ideals.

Flagpoles are also used to fly many different types of flags other than the nation’s flag. Often we see state, military, corporate, personal, and message flags on display on flagpoles. Putting up a flagpole to display these flags can be a major expense. Buying a flagpole can be costly, ranging from approximately $200 for a fifteen foot pole to as much as $650 for a 30 foot pole but you can make yourself a flagpole for approximately $100 including a 3x5 foot flag.

The sketch shown below illustrates how making a flagpole can be as inexpensive DIY home improvement project and will look just as great as one of those expensive store bought flagpoles. The pole itself is galvanized steel with common hardware items to attach the halyard that can be purchased at most any hardware store. The pole is painted with two coats of white paint, an all weather primer and a rust resistant metallic finish. Although the illustration is for a twenty foot flagpole it can be extended to thirty feet by attaching a second length of pipe to the first, using a standard 1-1/2 inch coupling.

Be sure that you review flag etiquette to avoid being embarrassed. There is an official U.S. flag code that was adopted into law July 7, 1976, by the 94th Congress of the United States. It set rules, customs and etiquette pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America.

Material Requirements

Two bags of secrete for base.

Suitable wood to frame the base 18 inches square.

One three foot length of 2 inch galvanized steel pipe.

One 20 foot 1-1/2 inch length of galvanized steel pipe.

One 1-1/2 inch coupling cap.

Two 2-1/4 x 3/8 inch bolts to bolt the pipes together.

Approximately 50 feet of ¼ inch rope.

One pulley attached to top of pole.

One 2 ¼ inch bolt to attached the pulley to top of pole.

One tube of cocking compound.

One pint of primer and one pint of finish enamel paint.

Two flag hooks.

One 2 x 5 foot flag.

Instructions:

Dig a hole approximately 18 inches square and 18 inches below the ground and form it with scrap boards so that the top of the form is six inches above the ground.
Cement the 3 foot piece of 2 inch pipe into the center of the base allowing for approximately 18 inch above ground. Fill the pipe with concrete 12 inches from the top. This allows a base for the 1-1/2 inch piece of pipe to rest on when it is placed inside the 2 inch pipe.
After the cement is hardened paint the section of pipe that is above ground.
Paint the twenty foot section of pipe.
Attach the pulley approximately two inches from the top of the pole.
Install the coupling cap.
Attach the rope.
Slide the 20 foot piece of pipe into the 2 inch piece of pipe. Drill two holes through both pipes and install the two 2-1/4 inch bolts. This step is optional if the cocking holds the joint from excessive play. To eliminate play pack a small amount of sand into the joint before cocking.
Fill the joint with cocking compound.
Hoist your flag.

Making a Flagpole

Making a Flagpole