I want to show you my pole. I’m very proud of it. It’s long and fairly straight.
A couple of weeks ago I got the notion to put up a flagpole (what were you thinking?). I wanted to get it done before the 4th (today) and I completed it ahead of schedule.
I had most of what I needed laying around. Piping, hardware, and even a ball for a pole top.
My neighbors even contributed to the project. I was in need of a 5′ section of pipe that the main pole would slip down into and that piece was provided. My other neighbor contributed a quality cotton 3’x5′ American flag. It was just a matter of getting a hole dug, creating a cement foundation, and putting everything together.
The foundation was the tricky part, because I didn’t want to just stick the pole into the cement. Not only was rust a concern, but there might be a need in the future to reach the pulley at the top of the pole, or to simply repaint the pole one day. A Youtube search provided an answer to that.
After preparing a proper foundation to receive the flagpole and then painting it, I went to the hardware store and bought my rope, a couple of clips, and chair leg boots. The metal flag clips are fastened to the rope with the rubber boots around them. This eliminates the metal to metal clanging you hear when clips hit a flagpole during breezy days.
I gave it a few days for the cement to set and harden before flying the flag.
It’s not perfectly straight (I can see a slight lean where a section joins), but I’m happy with the result of a 20′ flagpole that cost me less than $20. I’ll straighten it once it has completely settled in.
Of course, you might not have most of what you need laying around your house. In that case, it might be simpler and less expensive to just buy a quality flagpole. One of the best deals I found online was a 20′ aluminum flagpole, complete with a proper pulley truck, ball top, and sleeve for the foundation. It runs about $185 including shipping costs, but it’s a better pole with a 3″ butt that tapers to 2″, rather than the thin walled 2″ straight pipe made by cheaper manufacturers.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
