Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Assembling the Stem
• Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Substrate
• Part 3 of 3: Finishing Steps
• What do you need

You probably don't need a large, stationary flagpole high above your head. Instead, you can make a small flagpole that you can easily disassemble for transportation. You will need a PVC pipe directly for the stem, and a bucket filled with cement will serve as the base. With a little trick, you can easily make a stem that will detach from the base. With a little extra materials and a little of your time, you will make a full-fledged flagpole and be able to raise your chosen flag on it.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Assembling the Stem

1. 1 Cut the PVC pipe to the length of the flagpole you need. It is best if the flagpole is 1.2–2.1 m long. Within this framework, you can safely choose the height that suits you best. Buy a PVC water pipe and ask to cut it directly from the store, or do it yourself. Use a hacksaw to cut the pipe.
2. 2 Mark the middle on the PVC pipe. There you will attach the bollard that holds the rope to the flagpole. Use a tape measure to find the middle of the pipe and mark this point with a marker.
3. 3 Drill holes in the pipe to secure the bollard. Buy a rope bollard from a hardware store, flag specialty store, or online. Mounting screws will be immediately attached to it. To make it easier for the self-tapping screws to enter the PVC, drill basting holes in the pipe. Use a drill bit slightly smaller than the bollard screws.
   • If a parts list is included in the bollard package, check the size of the screws in it. For example, it can be self-tapping screws with a diameter of 3.0 mm. Choose a drill with a smaller diameter (1 mm) than the self-tapping screws so that they can cut well into the hole wall.
   • You will need to make two basting holes for the screws. Use the bollard itself as a template for marking holes.
4. 4 Follow the instructions in the instructions for the bollard to properly attach it to the pipe. Unpack the entire bollard kit and lay out the parts. Place the PVC pipe on the ground and attach the bollard to it. Using a screwdriver and self-tapping screws, attach the cleat to the pipe.
5. 5 Attach a lifting block to the end of the PVC pipe. Buy a flagpole lifting block at the same time as a bollard. If you are not quite sure what exactly you should buy, consult with the shop assistant or look for the block on the same website where you bought the rope bollard. Attach the lifting block to the pipe using self-tapping screws, which should also be included in the kit.
6. 6 Wrap the other end of the PVC pipe in polyethylene. Take some polyethylene and cut a 90 cm square out of it. Place the free end of the PVC pipe in the center of the square and gather the polyethylene around the stem. Secure it with tape.
   • Later, you will need to insert the stem into the bucket that you will be cementing. The presence of a plastic wrap will allow you to remove the stem from the cured concrete.
   • The above are only approximate sizes of polyethylene. In fact, the height of the bucket you use will determine the height to which the stem should be wrapped with plastic.
   • It is very important to place the PVC pipe in the center of the piece of polyethylene, so that the hole in it is not cemented from the inside.
7. 7 Lubricate the polyethylene with petroleum jelly. In addition to polyethylene, petroleum jelly will also help you pull the rod out of cured concrete. Spread the Vaseline in a thin layer over the entire surface of the plastic wrap. It is not necessary to use a lot of Vaseline, as even a small amount makes the surface quite slippery.

Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Substrate

1. 1 Buy a ready-made, quick-setting sand concrete mixture. For a small project like this, it's best to buy a dry mix package that includes sand, cement, and crushed stone right away. One bag will be more than enough to make a flagpole.
2. 2 Prepare the solution according to the instructions on the package of the mixture. Get a separate bucket that you won't be turning into the base of the flagpole. Unless the package says otherwise, pour the mixture into a bucket and start slowly adding water to it, gradually kneading it.
   • Use a small shovel or scoop to stir the solution. The correct consistency of the mortar will be achieved when it slowly slides off the tool.
3. 3 Place the stock in the base bucket. If there is someone nearby who can be involved in the next steps, call them for help. Take the bucket you choose to use as the base. Place the plastic-wrapped end of the stem exactly in the center of the bucket. It is best to attach a level to the stem so that it stands strictly vertical.
4. 4 Pour the solution evenly into the bucket around the stem. While you are pouring the solution, the assistant must continue to hold the stem vertically. Be sure to evenly distribute the solution in the bucket. It is not necessary to fill the bucket to the brim, as this would make the base too heavy to transport. However, fill the bucket with the solution at least halfway.
   • Continue to hold the stem for a while until a hardened crust forms on the surface of the mortar. From this point on, it will already be possible not to hold the PVC pipe, as the solution will begin to solidify.
5. 5 Leave the stem to cement overnight. It will take some time for the concrete to harden completely, so place the future flagpole where no one will disturb it. You can check the degree of hardening of the concrete by gently wiggling the PVC pipe. When it completely stops moving, we can assume that the concrete is completely frozen.
   • Be sure to read the instructions for the sand concrete mix you purchased. The time of its hardening will certainly be indicated there.

Part 3 of 3: Finishing Steps

1. 1 Lift the rod out of the concrete and remove the polyethylene from it. When the concrete hardens, pull the rod out of the base. The Vaseline will keep the polyethylene from sticking to the concrete. Remove the plastic wrap from the stem and discard.
   • Push the rod back into the concrete base that has formed from the cured cement.
2. 2 Pull the rope through the lifting block. Find a rope of the correct length for your flagpole.It should be about 30 cm longer than the full length of the PVC pipe. Pass it through the lifting block at the top and leave the ends hanging down.
3. 3 Attach the flag hooks to the rope. Use special flag fasteners or use regular snap hooks or other fasteners. String them onto a string and tie knots underneath to keep them in position.
4. 4 Hang moisture on the rope and secure it. Clip the flag to the rope through the eyelets at the end. Then, pull the flag up to the top end of the flagpole. Tie the rope with a bollard specially designed to secure it.

What do you need

• Two buckets of 20 liters or more
• PVC water pipe about 2.4 m long
• Roulette
• Hacksaw
• Marker
• Fast-setting sand mix
• Shovel or scoop
• Water
• Petrolatum
• Polyethylene
• Scotch
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Level
• Rope bollard
• Lifting block for flagpole
• Flag hooks or carabiners
• Rope