HOW TO MAKE A FLAGPOLE
For camp last year, we needed to have a flagpole at our campground. We were ALMOST primitive camping, and wondered how we could have the 2nd year girls do a flag ceremony. The scouts had camp the same week, so we weren't able to borrow their indoor pole, so this is what I came up with for a solution.

Total cost: $20 (or less)


MATERIALS
 
  • 1 large bucket (5 gallon or more)
  • 1 - 8' piece of PVC pipe (if you can get a longer piece, DO!)
  • Quickcrete (or any quick-set cement)
  • Vaseline (petroleum jelly)
  • Plastic wrap
  • tape
  • drill
  • screwdriver
  • Level
  • Rope cleat
  • Simple pulley
  • Clasps/hooks for the flag grommets
  • rope
  • eye screws (heavy-duty)

TO BUILD

First, measure the height of your bucket, and mark on the bottom of your pole. Wrap the bottom of your pole with plastic wrap to your mark, and secure with tape. Coat the plastic wrap with Vaseline. Be sure you have all the areas covered, or you will have trouble getting the pole or the wrap out.

 


Following the manufacturer's directions, mix concrete (in separate container) and pour 2" into the bottom of the bucket. Allow to sit for a short time. 

Place the pole, wrapped side down, into the bucket. Use a level to be sure it is straight. (Trust me on this one... I tried to eyeball mine, and it leaned a little to the right or left - depending on where you were standing.) 

Have someone hold the pole in position while you pour the rest of the concrete around it. DO NOT FILL ALL THE WAY UP. It will be tremendously heavy!

The concrete will dry quickly, so you won't have to hold the pole in place for very long. I actually propped mine up against the track of the garage door.

You can write your ward name in the concrete if you would like before it is completely set.

Allow to dry overnight, and remove the pole and wrap. At this point, I spraypainted the whole thing silver.

You should be able to slide the pole in and out of the hole you have created in the concrete. I was able to transport the whole thing in my van, with the pole running the length of the car under the seats.


HARDWARE

Attach the rope cleat half-way up the flagpole using the screws provided. You might want to use your drill to make pilot holes first. Again, use the level to mark your position on the pole.

At the top, I used a scrap piece of 2x4, cut to fit the inside of the PVC, and screwed it into position, leaving it flush with the top. With this in place, I was able to attach the pulley to the top of the pole, using an eye hook to screw it into the wood.

Thread your rope through the pulley, and attach your flag hooks. 

Voila! You have a flagpole you can transport anywhere!


Some shots of the pole in action at our pre-certification day:



Copyright © 2005 Christine Wardle. All Rights Reserved.