Windsock poles and frozen ground?

[Gregwatson]

How do you erect a windsock pole when the ground is hard?

 

[admin (Simon W)]

Use a short metal spike and a hammer. 

If this fails, try again with a bigger hammer. 

Continue until the spike is in the ground  

SW

 

[AndyB]

Wait for warmer weather.

 

[AndySV1K]

Sit and drink coffee until you're desperate to go to the toilet....

Then carefully defrost a small patch of soil.

 

[Gregwatson]

Any other ideas? All this winter flying going on, people must have some solution...

 

Simon's metal spike would work but not sure how easy that would be to remove afterwards.....

[paulg18]

Weld a handle at 90 degrees to the spike so you can pull it out.

[Gregwatson]

Maybe something like this would work

http://www.flagpoleexpress.co.uk/feather-flag-bases

 

[papagyo]

Hi all,

I made a flag pole stand from heavy wall PVC pipe in the shape of an H. Breaks down into three short sections and just sits on the ground....will not tip over even in 12mph+ winds with 17ft tall telescoping windsock pole. I will forward a photo. Cost about $20 to make with the PVC pipe and connectors.

 

Brian

[Gregwatson]

Hi Brian - that sounds interesting - would like so see further details. I presume the pipes are filled with something heavy?

[christian]

I tape an extending fishing rod (less than €10 from Decathalon) to a temporary fencing stake.  They are very cheap, especially when nicked from wife, but could be bought at agricultural stores.  To get them into the ground you can either stand on them, or bash them with a hammer.

Christian

[Gregwatson]

Interesting, thanks.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/fencing-stakes

 

Also interesting that you're using it upside down, but the way you're using it you have something to stand on to press it in... Nice!

 

Edited November 8, 2017 by Gregwatson

[christian]

No, I'm not using it upside down.  It's just a different pattern of fencing stake, I didn't realise that they were different in the UK.  You can get 10 for €20 here https://agrifournitures.fr/piquets-metal/312-piquet-de-fer-avec-isolateur-queue-de-cochon-gallagher-10-unites.html

Or get a local blacksmith to make you one.

Or you could use these ones.  https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/4ft-Plastic-Fencing-Stake-Event-Horse-Paddock-Poles-Safety-Mesh-Post-5-Colours-Orange-10/1612685505?iid=221347002730

but they are not as robust in my experience.

[Gregwatson]

Hmm, wonder how tough this is:

 

https://www.flags-flagpoles-banners.co.uk/product/spiked-base-for-portable-flagpoles?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpfWYpvqv1wIVRCjTCh0tQQrREAQYASABEgLT1fD_BwE

 

[papagyo]

Hi all,

Here are a couple shots of the windsock stand I made from thick wall PVC. One assembled othe taken down.

[frosty100]

I stole this idea from a German paramotoring friend of mine. It simply(fy) consists of a window sucker available from any large DIY store (B&Q). It sucks onto any flat surface, I use the side of my van-and some moisture. yuck.

Just cut one end of the sucker off  flush-dont cut it in half as it will be too short-  and then make a disc to slide over the end of the pole and glue into place. Make sure on the amount of pole that sits in the tube as it can't be too long .

I had to drop 2 sections off my pole (ooer missus) as these two sections were too fat to fit into the tube but, this loss of height is almost compensated for by mounting it as high as possible on your car or W.H.Y.