If you don't want a large flagpole towering over your head, but just a small scale rod that can be easily disassembled and transported, you can use a PVC pipe for support and a bucket full of concrete as a base. Use some special "tricks" to easily disassemble the flagpole from the base; using a few materials you will quickly have a beautiful pole on which to hoist your favorite flag.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Assemble the Pole
Step 1. Cut a PVC pipe to the desired height for the flagpole
For this project it is best to keep a measurement between 120 and 210 cm; feel free to choose a length within these limits. Purchase a pipe and ask the clerk to cut it to the desired length, or do it yourself using a tape measure and a hacksaw.
Step 2. Make a mark in the middle of the tube
At this point you will have to fix the hook that holds the rope in place; use a tape measure to find the exact half and draw a notch with the marker.
Step 3. Drill holes for the hook using a drill
Purchase a special kit at a flag store, hardware store, or online. In the kit you will find the screws, in addition to the hook, which allow you to fix the element to the rod. To facilitate the operations, drill the PVC with an electric drill on which you have grafted a slightly smaller bit than the small parts.
- If the package contains a list of the parts contained in the kit, read the size of the screws; for example, they may have a diameter of 3 mm. If so, choose a smaller drill bit so that the thread of the hardware can grip the pipe.
- You need two holes for two screws; use the hook itself as a reference to know how far apart them are.
Step 4. Follow the instructions in the kit to connect it to the rod
Open the package and arrange the contents on the ground. Take the tube and place the hook where you want to install it and use a screwdriver to tighten the hardware.
Step 5. Mount the pulley to one end of the flagpole
When purchasing the hook kit, also get a flag pulley; if you don't know exactly what to buy, do an online search or ask the shop assistant for advice; use the included screws to install it in place.
Step 6. Wrap the end of the tube with plastic
Get a sheet of this material and cut a 1 x 1m piece of it. Place the end without a pulley in the center of the square and wrap it with the plastic; fix everything with duct tape.
- Afterward, you will need to tuck the pole into the bucket filled with concrete, and the plastic sheet allows you to pull the rod out of the hardened concrete.
- The dimensions of the plastic sheet are only an estimate; the depth of the bucket determines the length of the portion of the rod you need to protect.
- The important thing is to put the pipe exactly in the center to prevent its cavity from filling with concrete.
Step 7. Smear some petroleum jelly on the plastic sheet
This extra care facilitates the extraction of the pole from the hardened concrete; apply a thin layer, you don't need a large amount, as petroleum jelly is very slippery.
Part 2 of 3: Creating the Base
Step 1. Buy ready-mixed, quick-setting cement from a hardware store
For small projects like this, your best bet is a sack of that product that already contains concrete, sand and gravel; a lot should be more than enough for a flag pole.
Step 2. Mix the cement following the directions on the package
Take a different bucket than the one you intend to use as a base, fill it with the contents of the bag and, unless the instructions state a different procedure, slowly pour in some water as you stir.
Use a shovel or shovel to mix the concrete; the mixture reaches the right consistency when it slowly drips away from the instrument
Step 3. Slip the flagpole into the bucket
If someone can help you, ask them to intervene at this stage. Take the bucket you want to use as a base and put the tube inside it, so that the end protected by the plastic is exactly in the center; you should place a spirit level on the pole to make sure it is perfectly vertical.
Step 4. Pour the concrete around the post evenly
While the helper holds the tube and level, transfer the mixture to the bucket that will serve as the base. Proceed gradually and do not fill the container to the brim, otherwise it will be too heavy to lift; limited to half the capacity of the bucket.
Keep the flagpole still for a few minutes until a crust forms on the surface of the concrete; at this point, the compound should be stabilized enough to support the pole alone
Step 5. Wait for the concrete to dry overnight
It takes some time for it to harden completely, so store the bucket in a place where it won't be disturbed. You can check the process from time to time by moving the rod; when it is perfectly locked, the concrete is ready.
Always read the instructions on the packaging of the specific cement you bought; they also generally indicate the approximate drying times
Part 3 of 3: Finishing the Flagpole
Step 1. Remove the plastic sheet from the rod
When the concrete has hardened, remove the PVC from the base. The petroleum jelly should have prevented the tube from adhering to the compound; then remove the plastic wrap and throw it in the trash.
Insert the rod back into the hole left in the concrete block
Step 2. Slide the rope into the pulley
Get one that is long enough according to the height of the flagpole, remember that it must be about 30 cm longer; wrap it around the pulley and let it hang down.
Step 3. Attach the flag hooks to the rope
Use specific clips for flags, clamps or similar fastening systems; thread them along the string and tie a knot under them to keep them in place.
Step 4. Hook the flag and tie the rope
Connect it to the clips through the eyelets on the edge. Hoist it up to the highest end of the flagpole and finally tie the rope around the hook which is designed to hold it in place.
