Flag pole mega tree?

[rjchu]

I suppose I should have posted this before placing the order but, I didn't. ;)

Has anyone used a telescoping flag pole for their megatree? I've ordered this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ft-telescoping-flag-pole-kit-95598.html

and am wondering if there are any gotchas or pitfalls I should be looking to avoid?

Thanks and a happy and safe 4th to everyone!

-joni-

[FreqMan]

If you get high winds in your area aluminum might not be the best way to go. If you have the time and money I suggest the JUMP that Walter and Jackie Monkhouse designed. http://www.magicchristmasnews.org/ Very good sturdy build. Personally, I wish I could get a hold of an old Army antenna that I used to work with, they went up to 15 Meters! Now that would make a heck of a Mega Tree.

[ErnieHorning]

"California flag not included. Not available in Minnesota." I'm not sure if I should be offended by that. :rolleyes:

[budude]

I guess it depends on how well it locks into place - it will have to hold the weight of all your strings of lights at the top so take that into account. 20' is what I'm shooting for this year myself so I'm still looking around for the best option. That JUMP thing is pretty cool - I've seen several posts over the last year or two and everyone seems happy with it...

[dirknerkle]

"California flag not included. Not available in Minnesota." I'm not sure if I should be offended by that. :rolleyes:

Yeah, Ernie... they're always pickin' on us... :sad:

[Materdaddy]

I had a similar question and was worried about the strength of the HF one. We recently bought (hasn't arrived) a 20' telescoping pole from "Uncommon USA". We bought the heavy duty version because I too will use it for a mega tree at some point. The pole costs about 6 times the HF one, but after reading reviews of both, I wanted something better than the HF one. Lots of people say the HF one will go up, and stay up (corrosion messes up the "tabs" that keep it up) and that it will snap if a flag is left on it in high wind.

Unfortunately I haven't received mine yet, or made a mega tree with it yet, so I can't give you any first-hand information, but since you ordered yours, it would be nice if you'd update this thread when you've used it and have first hand experience. I will do the same, or likely start my own thread w/ the "Uncommon USA" flag pole we bought.

[IdunBenhad]

Hi:
20 feet of aluminum and 9+ pounds. Sounds kind of light to me.

However, guy lines are wonderful things. You can also use the guys to help support your lights. And, the light strings themselves make good guys, too.

Just a suggestion.

[budude]

My concern is more the telescoping part of it - - what exactly locks the joints in for each section? If it's just a simple friction fit or something then I'm thinking this will not hold up 100+ pounds of lights and the thing will "un" telescope...

[ChiefWarrant]

If you get high winds in your area aluminum might not be the best way to go. If you have the time and money I suggest the JUMP that Walter and Jackie Monkhouse designed. http://www.magicchristmasnews.org/ Very good sturdy build. Personally, I wish I could get a hold of an old Army antenna that I used to work with, they went up to 15 Meters! Now that would make a heck of a Mega Tree.

Those also come in a 9 Meter variety....I was thinking the same thing, but you cant even find them at DRMO.

[ChiefWarrant]

My concern is more the telescoping part of it - - what exactly locks the joints in for each section? If it's just a simple friction fit or something then I'm thinking this will not hold up 100+ pounds of lights and the thing will "un" telescope...

I used one of those for a Mega tree when I lived in Fayettevile, NC. The biggest problem I ever had with it was some sections sticking and not coming down, with out extra effort.

It worked so well, that I have considered getting one here in Augusta.

[Skunberg]

I use a 20 ft Sundowner. I don't know how much it weighs but more than ten pounds for sure and less than thirty. I've had a 4X6 flag in 60 MPH winds without any trouble. I use super strings (1/16th inch cable with the lights zip tied to it). 16 three color strings for 48 channels. The pole uses pin locks that you push in to lower each section. These pin locks don't hold up to the weight of the lights. I use a rubber pipe coupler with two hose clamps ( Thank you Tim Fischer ). I know others have used twice the lights I use (96 strings). But don't plan on lifting that many by yourself. I use PVC electrical conduit ring at the bottom. The top I unscrew the ball and bolt on a plate with hooks fashioned after Wayne J's Mega tree topper. I don't have any pictures, but I'll be glad to answer questions.

[FreqMan]

Those also come in a 9 Meter variety....I was thinking the same thing, but you cant even find them at DRMO.

How about an old 30 meter mast! Wouldn't that be a sight.

[dirknerkle]

How about an old 30 meter mast! Wouldn't that be a sight.

You haven't seen Frank's megatree yet, huh? Go to: http://www.ahwatukeeholidays.com/

[ErnieHorning]

Here's one that's easier to see in Korea.

[rjchu]

Thanks everyone for the great replies and comments. I've been thinking about this some more and was originally planning on drilling holes in the bottom of each pole segment and putting a bolt through them to prevent them from "untelescoping" as budude mentioned. I then thought that tube ring clamps would be even better since I wouldn't have to drill - though I don't mind it since I bought this for a megatree only to get the height. I like the idea someone else mentioned of using tube ring clamps but putting rubber hosing under them to protect the pole. I'd also planned on guy wires either attached to the bottom flag clip or a little further down the mast. I'd also thought that for year one I'd only telescope 4 of the 5 sections for a total hieght of 16 feet vs the max of 20.

I should also mention that I used a 20% off coupon to get the price down to $35 which I figured was worth the gamble. If anyone's interested in getting one of these too I can dig up the email with the coupon code in it.

Thanks again everyone for your feedback, I'm looking forward to when this thing arrives so I can give it a shot.

-joni-

[Skunberg]

Hi, Tim has a video on his web site of his mega-tree construction which includes the installing of rubber coupling's.
http://www.plymouthlights.com/megatree.htm
The top to hold the lights is like Wayne J's but with just a hole in the middle to put the bolt thru. here's a link from his site.
http://www.jamesfamilychristmas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=36
This is what I based mine on and I think these two links give the details needed.

Brian