Community Forums

Dacotah · 02-12-2014, 01:44 PM

I thought I had seen just about every problem a full timer could have in the last 2 years....here is a new one!! Our 20 foot telescopic flag pole will not come down after 4 months of use. The sections will not twist to reverse the grip...Even tried 2 strap pipe wrenches, no luck. How are these things assembled? Any ideas? WD40 didn't help either!
DACOTAH

al2ride · 02-12-2014, 02:06 PM

Is it one of those five piece aluminum ones?

Dacotah · 02-12-2014, 02:13 PM

Yes it is. Bought from Harbor Freight. If I can get it apart, I could remove the locking part and just pin the sections together to make it simple. Ideas??
DACOTAH

ccrider, · 02-12-2014, 02:30 PM

There is a product that is called PP Blaster, spray on let sit over night. This really works.

al2ride · 02-12-2014, 02:36 PM

PB Blaster is good stuff. Also marvel mystery oil works. You could also try some heat.

lanerd · 02-12-2014, 02:39 PM

What I do with mine is hold it vertically and grasp the next to bottom section ...lift the whole pole up about a foot or so and then bring it down really hard on a hard (concrete) floor while holding on tightly. This will break loose the corrosion. I then do it for the next section until it's all down. Works for me.

Dacotah · 02-12-2014, 02:56 PM

LANERD,I will try that,sounds like a good idea. I have tried PB blaster, it works great for metal parts, but didn't help here. Right now in south Florida wind blowing 25 mph so will wait to try your idea when wind slows down. In addition to the flag, we use the top for our digital HD TV antenna; works every where we have been except we do not get A&E so no Duck Dynasty...don't get me started on that...will report results asap...
DACOTAH

vsheetz · 02-12-2014, 03:15 PM

PB Blaster plus lanerd's methodology should get you there.

speed racer · 02-12-2014, 03:37 PM

I had the same problem with the same pole. The problem is water makes the locks swell. If you get it to move the chrome collars are only glued on and will come apart to disassemble the pole.

JFXG · 02-12-2014, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dacotah

... Our 20 foot telescopic flag pole will not come down.... The sections will not twist to reverse the grip...

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanerd

What I do with mine is hold it vertically and grasp the next to bottom section ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed racer

I had the same problem with the same pole....

Dacotah, lanerd, and speed racer....... Separate and apart from the corrosion problem, how has the HF flagpole stood up to the vagaries of the weather? I'm in the market for a pole. Thanks!

speed racer · 02-12-2014, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFXG

Dacotah, lanerd, and speed racer....... Separate and apart from the corrosion problem, how has the HF flagpole stood up to the vagaries of the weather? I'm in the market for a pole. Thanks!

After I removed the locking rings and drilled holes for pins I have had no more problems.

**TonyDi** · 02-12-2014, 08:08 PM

I kinda live by the old adage, "If it's jammed force it. If it breaks it needed replacing".

Dacotah · 02-13-2014, 10:56 AM

This morning, after last night,s high winds, I went back and removed the pole from the back of the motorhome and tried the slam it down idea...It worked!! There were several problems ...The inside of the poles had some aluminum corrosion,the rain that got in past the rings caused a hydro lock condition because each section was full of water, and the plastic stop rings were sticking caused by dirt. First, I drilled holes in the plastic bottom of each section, I used corrosion block spray, and eliminated the rough lock rings and replaced them with 1/4 inch pins with spring keepers... from Home Depot. Not as neat as being able to lock in any position, but it will come down fast in a high wind. I have mounted the pole on the side of the roof ladder and it stays there while on the road.When set for the night, it goes up in about 2 minutes.

Thanks to all that replied, great info,and yes with these mods it's a good pole for only $50.00 at Harbor Freight. Thanks again, DACOTAH

lanerd · 02-13-2014, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFXG

Dacotah, lanerd, and speed racer....... Separate and apart from the corrosion problem, how has the HF flagpole stood up to the vagaries of the weather? I'm in the market for a pole. Thanks!

Actually, I eventually got tired of it sticking every time and gave it away and bought a 22' fiberglass pole from "Flagpole Whse" at one of the large rv rally's in Oregon last year. Surprisingly, it too will stick (but not near as bad) and I use the same procedure I described above.

Ron