30 Ft. Flag Pole

E/S · Apr 8, 2014

My wife has decided that "we" need a new flag pole, a 30 Ft. pole !

After pricing poles and recovering from the shock, I decided to build a tilt up pole. I have attached a drawing of what I plan to build and would appreciate your input.

One thing I should mention is that we regularly get 70 + mph. wind gusts and she intends for me to fly 2 - flags - 4 Ft. x 6 Ft.

E/S

sparc · Apr 8, 2014

is that footing 2 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep?

E/S · Apr 8, 2014

Yes

E/S

coobie · Apr 9, 2014

Word of caution.Before you put up that flag pole make SURE there are no POWER LINES around.I am a retired electric lineman and I have seen folks get hurt pretty bad by not looking up first.

chim · Apr 9, 2014

coobie said:
Word of caution.Before you put up that flag pole make SURE there are no POWER LINES around.I am a retired electric lineman and I have seen folks get hurt pretty bad by not looking up first.

When you cautioned about the power lines, it made me remember that before the proliferation of cable and dish TV it seemed that once or twice a year the local paper had a story about someone getting electrocuted while erecting a TV antenna.

The last time I recall someone nearby having a fatal run-in with a power line was when the boyfriend of a gal at work tried to retrieve a model airplane from a tree that had a HV line passing through the branches. Terrible thing to happen.

mikim · Apr 9, 2014

Assuming you have a hinge pin at about 4' ...are you then putting counter weight inside the center pipe up to that hinge pin? I was just thinking in order to get enough counter weight inside the pipe you might want to raise the height of the hinge pin. If you want a good look at the application of what you're designing - find a NWS ASOS site (surface observation system) and look at their tip over wind tower. They tend to be at airports but a good pair of binoculars will let you see what you need to see. Or visit the local NWS office (just walk in) and ask to talk to their ASOS tech. They're on the road a lot working on remote sites - but any ET in the office should be able to help you.....edit: you need enough counter weight in the lower section of the center pipe such that you have to pull the pole down - else it will come down with a vengeance and break the pole and anything that is unlucky enough to be under it. Also - I'd change the 2 support pipes to channel iron ...(just a preference)

E/S · Apr 9, 2014

coobie & chim,
As far as overhead power, its 900 ft. away.

mikim,
Thanks for the pointers.

E/S

coobie · Apr 9, 2014

E/S said:
coobie & chim,
As far as overhead power, its 900 ft. away.

mikim,
Thanks for the pointers.

E/S

Good deal,be safe.

bigtiller · Apr 9, 2014

sparc said:
is that footing 2 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep?

E/S said:
Yes

E/S

I don't believe you have a big enough footing with only 15 cubic feet of concrete. Two 6' flags make a pretty large sail.

sparc · Apr 9, 2014

mikim said:
Assuming you have a hinge pin at about 4' ...are you then putting counter weight inside the center pipe up to that hinge pin? I was just thinking in order to get enough counter weight inside the pipe you might want to raise the height of the hinge pin. If you want a good look at the application of what you're designing - find a NWS ASOS site (surface observation system) and look at their tip over wind tower. They tend to be at airports but a good pair of binoculars will let you see what you need to see. Or visit the local NWS office (just walk in) and ask to talk to their ASOS tech. They're on the road a lot working on remote sites - but any ET in the office should be able to help you.....edit: you need enough counter weight in the lower section of the center pipe such that you have to pull the pole down - else it will come down with a vengeance and break the pole and anything that is unlucky enough to be under it. Also - I'd change the 2 support pipes to channel iron ...(just a preference)

All good stuff. I would run a piece of 3/4 sch 80 pipe throught the pole at the pivot point. It should run all the way throught and be welded to the pole then ground flush with the o.d.nof the pole. This will give added bearing surface over just the pipe wall.