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27 April, 2012

Is It A Flagpole?

Not quite, although, there is a certain attractiveness about having a flagpole.

I needed a long piece of pipe to provide bracing for the short stanchion atop the pool pump house. The only thing really holding the stanchion in place on the roof is four bolts and the metal anchors put in drilled holes into the roof. Not quite as strong as you'd like.

The easiest way I could think of to provide additional bracing was to get a longish pole and use more aircraft cable and a turnbuckle to relieve stress on the short stanchion.

Carlos happened to have a couple of pieces of 2-1/2" steel pipe laying around. His uncle, came by with his welding equipment and with the help of a short piece of three inch pipe, got it all welded together into a 15' piece of pipe.
Beefed-Up Weld Joint
There was even a 2" piece left over that got welded to the very top of the long pole to cover the hole at the exposed end and to provide a bit of decoration at the top.
Fancy Little Finial
I followed the same process as I did in painting the pool awning poles - Ospho on the raw galvanized metal to provide tooth and to convert any rust to iron sulfide (I think), then prime with a direct to metal primer.
Primed - Ready For Finish Coat
Finally, a couple of coats of the same blue as the stanchions, a direct to metal acrylic enamel.
All Primed and Painted
I also added an eye bolt so I can attach the cable and the turnbuckle.
Detail of the Eye Bolt
Today, Carlos dug the hole, added rebar and concrete and positioned the pole in the ground.
Carlos Starting the Hole
After it sets for a few days and cures, I'll string the cable and then it's done. Another project taken care of.
The Completed Hole - Ready for Rebar
Now the rebar and concrete have gone into the hole to hold everything rigidly in place.
Ready For Rebar and Concrete
Embedded in Concrete
The Pole Runs Aloft
There you have it. All done with the exception of me running the cable and turnbuckle. That'll happen in in a couple of days - after the concrete has had time to cure.

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