Meaghatron Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 My friend is trying to weight a 6-foot flag pole, and she's not exactly sure how to do it (or what's the best way to do it). Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Carriage bolts work best. A 2inch bolt in the top and a 1 inch bolt in the bottom gives a nice balance. I'd bring a stopper to the hardware store so you can get the right one (I think it's the bolts that are 1in diameter, but it might be 7/8"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBro Posted August 9, 2007 Share Posted August 9, 2007 I'm guessing Will is from the midwest or east coast ;o) I use fiber glass poles and metal poles with different groups I teach. We weight them differently. a 6 ft fiber glass pole uses a 1.5 inch carriage bolt in the top. a 6ft metal pole uses a 2 inch carriage bolt in the top. If you have a normal sized silk on the pole these weights will make the pole not "pulse" while rotating. You might WANT that pulse.... it's a personal choice. I want my flags to rotate evenly and cleanly so that the silk stays open as much as possible (the point of a flag is to show varying degrees of color based on choreography right?). But like I said... it's a personal choice. Try out a couple ways and see waht feels comfortable for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted August 9, 2007 Share Posted August 9, 2007 I'm guessing Will is from the midwest or east coast ;o)I use fiber glass poles and metal poles with different groups I teach. We weight them differently. a 6 ft fiber glass pole uses a 1.5 inch carriage bolt in the top. a 6ft metal pole uses a 2 inch carriage bolt in the top. If you have a normal sized silk on the pole these weights will make the pole not "pulse" while rotating. You might WANT that pulse.... it's a personal choice. I want my flags to rotate evenly and cleanly so that the silk stays open as much as possible (the point of a flag is to show varying degrees of color based on choreography right?). But like I said... it's a personal choice. Try out a couple ways and see waht feels comfortable for you. JBro: I am from Kentucky. I didn't know that I could be identified by how I weight my flag poles.. HAHA.. Fiberglass? UGH! Too heavy... I like my poles light, with just enough of a bolt in them to not get blown away in the wind. Out here in the MidWest (or Southeast, depending on where you look at it) we tend to use metal poles. Although, there are few groups here in Kentucky that use wooden poles (7/8".. brings back memories from winter guard). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quegrawks Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 (edited) Put a carriage bolt in each end of the flag. Spin and toss. if it feels or looks "wonky" in the air, use a different sized bolt in each end until it feels/looks right. Different flags (material, size, number of seams) and different poles (aluminum, copper, fiberglass--which I dissuade anyone from using) and pole lengths (5.5', 6', 6.5', etc.) will require different weights. There's no real one-size fits all weighting procedure. Just make sure that EVERYONE has the same weights on either end of the pole. Edited August 13, 2007 by quegrawks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghatron Posted August 15, 2007 Author Share Posted August 15, 2007 Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odessa Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 While on the subject of bolts... Anyone know of a place online that I can order the correct bolts in bulk? I've searched around, but some sites look shady. Let me know where I can find this stuff! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 If you go to Lowe's or True Value Hardware you can usually find the big boxes of bolts behind the little drawers/bins of bolts. You might be able to order online from Lowes.com also. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorguardguy Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 While on the subject of bolts... Anyone know of a place online that I can order the correct bolts in bulk? I've searched around, but some sites look shady. Let me know where I can find this stuff! Thanks! www.boltdepot.com http://www.boltdepot.com/product.aspx?cc=8...p;selected=2816 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N Murphy Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 we weight ours with a 5.5 inch at the top and a 2.5 inch at the bottom, using a 1" washer. We also use foam insulation roll that's sticky on the bolts to keep them from rattling. One piece on either side of the bolt keeps it in place. Because it's lightweight, it doesn't add any weght. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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