Home Made Flag Pole "$Cheap$"

[BEER30]

Just finished making "2" (TWO) Flag pole under $15.00 . Here's pictures of one of them mounted on my rear trunk rack . The mast are made of lavatory water supply (tubing) lines , the ones made of chrome plated brass . I used 3/8" all-thread inside the tubing to striffen the mast . As I inserted the all-thread into the tubing , I used Marine Grade sealer/silicone to secure any cavities as it was the ID and OD were not exact match . While spinning/screwing the all-thread into the tubing , I applied the silicone sealer onto the threads . At the tip of the tubing where it is formed as a natural flare is a plastic insert where the all-thread did make a good contact . The end of the all-thread is just short from passing all the way through , on which I placed a dab of silicone sealer to secure a chromed dog collar spike to complete the top of the mast . At the base of the tubing , I run a stainless steel safety nut (one with the plastic insert , forgot the correct name) reversed to give an acorn top look just under the tubing . The mount I made from aircraft aluminim . Measements are 3/4" x 2" x 1" . Drilled 1 hole to fit around the trunk rack and 2 more to secure it to the rack . 1 hole , I passed the mast into and tightend securely with an acorn nut . Second hole I used acorn nut up top and safety nut underneath . I would have used another acorn nut , but ran out of them . Also to mention , I used the over length all-thread as my second securing bolt .

 

The flag , I purchased at Walmart just under $5.00 . It is the heavy duty , window type plastic mount , made of double layered fabric . I removed the flap from the plastic mast and inserted a section of pvc tubing into the tubular fabric on mount side of the flag . It was a tight fit , which made is better . I inserted the mast into the pvc tubing on the flag and followed it with up with a rubber grommet to keep the flap up top of mast . The rubbwer grommet is the type used to insulate wires through sheet metal which I purchased from hardware store as well . The way I made this will allow the flag to rotate freely around the mast .

 

Overall , I have only spent nearly $20.00 for 1 flag and 2 flag pole mast and took me approx. 1 1/2 hours to make .

 

Gene

[Yammer Dan]

They look good. I need to try that.

[E-Fishin-C]

Beer 30 ,,,,,, what can't you do???? Im impressed!!!

[Carbon_One]

Nice and it's almost exactly like the one I made last summer. We must be thinking alike as I was short of funds so did almost the same thing as you did Beer. Aluminum block drilled and mounted same as you did. Not sure of the size right offhand. I run a threaded rod thru a piece of stainless tubing, acorn nuts top & bottom. A plastic washer at the top and a plastic washer with a tight fit rubber washer under the flag. My flag is the one Eddie sold with the VentureRiders.org. logo on it. Now I need to make another for an American flag.

I'll post a pic of mine later.

Larry

[BEER30]

Beer 30 ,,,,,, what can't you do????

 

Turn Back Time

[Black Owl]

Great idea. The ingenuity of the folks here never ceases to amaze me.

[Carbon_One]

Added my pics to the first post I put on here.

Very similar wouldn't you say Beer?

 

Larry

[BEER30]

Very similar wouldn't you say Beer?

 

Larry

 

 

" BEER " !

Did you fabricate your own mount ( aluminum block ) ? I cut mine out of a large chunk of material with my bandsaw , sanded with a belt sander to remove cut marks , then replace the good sanding belt with a worn out fine grit to polish . That little block of aluminum got hot ! Found it better to cool down with an air hose , rather than cooling with water .

 

I must say Carbon , we do fine work !

 

"Done so long , with so little , we can do anything with nothin' ".

 

Gene

[Carbon_One]

Yep took a aluminum block , drilled, cut, & polished as you did. I can put my cover on with it as is but if needed to lower it it's just a simple matter of loosening one screw.

 

Oh yea I'll second that comment on fine work, great ideas, & craftmanship.

Larry

[Squidley]

Gene,

 

Owl had been on me to make something like that for a year and I just haven't got to do it. I know you would sell a lot of those if you choose to make them....I'll take 2 please

[BEER30]

Carbon ,

I also made a slip over cover as well . I wonder if it true that my mom did really have twins and I was the one she kept . Are you my twin brother ?

 

Squid ,

I have more aluminum to spare and would extend out my hand to help you out in making a couple more masts for Owl . I'll try to get them made as soon as I can . Before I commit into making them to sale , I have a freind whom has a CNC machine . Perhaps I can convince him to produce some mounts if their is enough interest in it . CNC machines are not cheap , but enough to be made may persuade him too . Making no promises , but I will check on it .

 

Gene

[Tnventurer]

Ill take one please....Fred:cool10:

[Squidley]

Thanks Gene....I'm sure if a thread was posted you could fill a bunch of orders.

 

....not that I want to create work for you

[rwrenn1]

where can I get some of that aluminum block

[painterman67]

If you can make em I'll take two myself.

 

David

[5bikes]

After about 2 miles it came down. Any ideas how to make quieter?

[BEER30]

After about 2 miles it came down. Any ideas how to make quieter?

 

Tighten up all them bolts and nuts on that 1st Gen , then it will be quieter .

Honestly , what size of flag and material is is made of ? I fly 2 - 11"x 16" flags . I forgot what the material is , but it is like a knitted clothe and it's double ply.

 

BEER30

[BEER30]

where can I get some of that aluminum block

I get mine from a fellow company that uses Aircraft grade aluminum to CNC molds . My local welder has some laying around every once in awhile also . Our local medal supplier wants you to buy a truck load . I may still have some , but I have to get another 40 tooth or better carbide blade for my chop saw to cut off a chunk . I'm leaving for Orlando in about 5 hours and will not be back home until late Sunday . Shoot me a PM to remind me to look and if I have some , I will send to ya .

 

BEER30

[rwrenn1]

I will check the local weld shop first if I have no luck I will pm you. Thanks

Edited January 14, 2009 by rwrenn1

[adventurer 08]

I made two flag poles also using the aluminum blocks and lavatory supply line last summer with flags i got from wal-mart. Used um all last fall for PG runs. ran them off the saddle bag rails. :hurts:

[rwrenn1]

i bought some aluminum block from my local steel supplier i got a whole bunch of it for 20bucks more than i wanted but they had a minimum so i will be making myself at least 2 and i have raw block for other projects later on

[Aussie Annie]

Carbon ,

I also made a slip over cover as well . I wonder if it true that my mom did really have twins and I was the one she kept . Are you my twin brother ?

 

Squid ,

I have more aluminum to spare and would extend out my hand to help you out in making a couple more masts for Owl . I'll try to get them made as soon as I can . Before I commit into making them to sale , I have a freind whom has a CNC machine . Perhaps I can convince him to produce some mounts if their is enough interest in it . CNC machines are not cheap , but enough to be made may persuade him too . Making no promises , but I will check on it .

 

Gene

 

OK, here's one heck of an order----I'll have two, no, make that three (a spare) mounts for my RSV over here in Western Australia

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never ride faster than your guardian angel:2133:can fly