Tailgating is a tradition of picnicking, partying and having fun before and after games, concerts and just about any outdoor event. A recent addition to tailgating at sporting events is raising a tall flagpole with the colors of your favorite team or school high over the assembled crowd. These flagpoles are not difficult to make, assemble or take down and store away. All you will need is a piece of 1/2-inch galvanized steel and some galvanized fence piping (available from any fencing supply) You’ll also need two eyebolts to attach the flag.
If not, follow these simple directions. Cut the galvanized steel sheet 12 inches by 30 inches. File the cut edges smooth. Fence piping comes in long sections to support the top of chain link fences. One end is a male fitting and the other is female to pipes (or poles) can be linked together. Cut one male end off at 24 inches. Use a hacksaw cut an “X” pattern in the wider end (don’t cut the male fitting) five inches deep. Once cut, bend each quarter of the pipe perpendicular to the pipe and if necessary use a hammer to beat each quarter flat. Drill holes in the end of each quarter and a corresponding “X” pattern of holes in the plate. Drill the plate so the post is positioned to one side of the 30” length and about three inches from the edge. The flag post will off center on the plate.
If you have a welding tool, you can weld the perpendicular post to the cut galvanized sheet instead of bolting. If you weld there is no need to drill holes in each quarter. Just weld the quarters directly to the galvanize plate.
On the remaining section of pipe the 24-inch stand was cut, drill two holes in the pipe on the same end where the male fitting was removed. Space the holes the distance of the height of your flag. Bolt in each hole an eyebolt and fasten with nuts on both side of the pipe.
If you wish you can paint the stand, the flag attachment section and as many section of pipe as you would like your flag pole. Just be sure to first paint the bare galvanized steel with a good metal paint primer. A good suggestion for the final color is your team’s or schools colors. As most have two colors, paint every other section one of the colors and the other sections the second color.
With the stand offset, drive your vehicle onto the stand with the vertical post outside of the rear wheel. The rear wheel will secure the stand and the strongest winds will not blow it over. Attach the flag to the eyebolts with closed hooks. Assemble the total number of pipe sections and secure the bottom female fitting into the male stand post.
A good idea is cut each fence section short enough to fit in a truck bed, SUV cargo area or roof rack. You can stack as many short pipes as needed to reach your desired height.
