SylvanLakeWH 25,558 #1 Posted June 10, 2021 Been looking for a nice sailing mast to convert to a flag pole for about a year… finally got one off CL for decent price delivered. Good shape. 23’ tall. Going to go with about 16’ tall (from grade) so I can handle it myself… Looking for advice on how to anchor it. I’m thinking about 3-4’ deep hole, 18” wide, filled with concrete… Sleeve will be an issue since it’s not round… should I just permanently sink it in concrete or any good ideas for a sleeve? Maybe pvc and sand / wedges? Ideas / methods of getting it plumb straight are welcome. Any thoughts appreciated… 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,498 #2 Posted June 10, 2021 Others will likely have far better ideas than mine... (Boy I hope so). I like the idea of 4 (or more) foot deep permanent mount hole with concrete. Was it me I'd get some scrap lumber and use 2 or 3 short wooden "spikes" driven into the ground to hold the same number of wood supports to keep it straight/level/plumb. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,336 #3 Posted June 10, 2021 Find a piece of pipe that just fits inside the mast and sink it into the concrete enough to slide the pole over it and fasten it with a thru bolt. If you have to take it down for any reason you can. 6 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,175 #4 Posted June 10, 2021 I like Tuul's idea of finding a pipe that fit inside mast. But I would add 4 pieces of angle iron that would allow the pole to be tipped over and raised easily.. Pardon my hi-tec cad system 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #5 Posted June 10, 2021 2 hours ago, The Tuul Crib said: Find a piece of pipe that just fits inside the mast and sink it into the concrete enough to slide the pole over it and fasten it with a thru bolt. If you have to take it down for any reason you can. Definately! PO of our house concreted in the main mast of our flagpole. At some point the truck on top got damaged and is now sharp. In the right wind conditions the flag can flip over the top and get damaged by the truck. Now I have to cut or something to get the pole down and replace the truck. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,231 #6 Posted June 10, 2021 A lot of professionally installed flagpoles are mounted between two implanted posts. Two bolts through the posts and pole secure the pole permitting one bolt to be used as a hinge when raising or lowering the pole before putting in the second bolt fo fix it in place. 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #7 Posted June 10, 2021 I had been pondering that. Do a ham radio style tip over mast. When I was in the military we had crank up masts. Sticks in my mind I've seen a design for a crank up mast somewhere. I'll see if I can locate it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #8 Posted June 10, 2021 http://www.aprs.org/Antenna-Ipipe.html Heres the general idea and pulley setup...Id probably go aluminum and add a "pull down" rope from the base of the highest section to the base just to help collapse it it if it binds. Maybe loop that back to the same crank I use to raise, Kinda a windlass type setup with the up and down ropes wrapped around the windlass. Of course for a flagpole, 55 ft. might be a tad overkill, 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,361 #9 Posted July 30, 2021 I have a solar light that attaches to the top of my flag pole, so that it's lighted at night. Seems to do an adequate job. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #10 Posted July 30, 2021 3 hours ago, ianmitch said: Does anyone know if there is a special light for flags? I just want to see a bright American flag at night. Maybe we'll just wait for you to post a link to where you found one? Or, maybe another new member will join shortly to tell you where you can get them. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,558 #11 Posted February 6, 2022 On 7/30/2021 at 10:24 AM, Jeff-C175 said: Maybe we'll just wait for you to post a link to where you found one? Or, maybe another new member will join shortly to tell you where you can get them. I just saw this. I have a low voltage led spot light on mine. Works great! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
