Flag dynamics

[Harry Bloomfield]

.. But there does seem to be a little more sensible technical discussion here...

I put a flag pole up and a Union Flag, some days ago. The flag is firmly attached to one side of the pole, since when, I realised in might end up wrapping itself around the pole, as the wind direction varies. I've never installed a flag before, but a bit of research since suggests the wrapping around pole, is something of a regular issue. The solution seems to be to attach the flag, top, and bottom to a ring, so the flag is free to rotate around the pole, instead of wrapping, so it can obviously be a problem.

In fact, the 'wrapping', despite the very variable wind direction, simply hasn't happened. Curious as to why, I've watched it, and it does sometimes manage up to a single wrap, but always manages to unwrap itself. The curious part is why/how it manages to untangle itself - anyone know?

 

[JohnW2]

In fact, the 'wrapping', despite the very variable wind direction, simply hasn't happened. Curious as to why, I've watched it, and it does sometimes manage up to a single wrap, but always manages to unwrap itself. The curious part is why/how it manages to untangle itself - anyone know?

I don't know for sure, but when the wind subsides is the flag not likely to 'fall down', unwinding itself if necessary, such that it ends up 'hanging vertically?

I think that I've seen people attach some sort of 'stiffening' to the top horizontal edge of a flag in an attempt to stop it winding around the pole.

 

[Risteard]

I put a flag pole up and a Union Flag, some days ago.

Why?

 

[JohnW2]

Why?

Why not?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I don't know for sure, but when the wind subsides is the flag not likely to 'fall down', unwinding itself if necessary, such that it ends up 'hanging vertically?

Maybe that is the explanation? Maybe it will behave differently, in higher wind speeds?

I spent a bit of time researching it, and everything pointed towards the need to use the free to rotate rings, to avoid the problem, as if the wrapping round the pole, was a regular issue. I also read, that flags made from polyester, which this is, are less likely to suffer the problem, than cotton flags - maybe due to them being lighter, slippier, and not getting water logged.

BTW - The doc put me on Rosuvastatin 5mg one daily, as an alternative to the 20mg Atorvastatin I was on, as a trial.

 

[SUNRAY]

I have 2 poles up, one is a fibreglass windsurf mast and I have simply hooked a standard washing line pully on the open top, it does wander round the top, , the other pole I crafted an arm to support the pulley which can freely rotate. Both result in the rope twisting round the pole and yes the flags regularly wrap round too. In the early days I'd unwrap them with a pole but realised they do free themselves. Ironically I had to bring the latter pole down earlier today ton replace the rope and pully as the worn pully had worn and the rope had jammed and cut, a photo would have been a POP.

 

[Munroast]

BTW - The doc put me on Rosuvastatin 5mg one daily, as an alternative to the 20mg Atorvastatin I was on, as a trial.

and did that help to stop the flags getting wrapped around the pole

is this whole thread a euphemism, flag poles not working properly

 

[SUNRAY]

and did that help to stop the flags getting wrapped around the pole

is this whole thread a euphemism, flag poles not working properly

Some time ago my grandson asked what made the flags move, quick as a flash his elder brother summed it up in 3 words "On an app." They are now 16 and 20. In the meantime I think my gransdaughter may have sussed it though when she was explaining to her dolls about those big white fans on sticks (wind turbines) making more wind when they turn faster.

 

[JohnW2]

is this whole thread a euphemism, flag poles not working properly

No, that sentence (a sort of "P.S.") is an update in relation to a recent discussion in a different thread!

 

[JohnW2]

.... I think my gransdaughter may have sussed it though when she was explaining to her dolls about those big white fans on sticks (wind turbines) making more wind when they turn faster.

I must remember that one when trying to teach people about the pitfalls of assuming that association implies causation - and, in particular, the need to get the chicken and eggs the right way around!

Examples I commonly use include suggestions such as that fires become more serious if more fire engines are sent to them, or that the more 'equipment' one attaches to a patient, the more ill they become,etc.etc. - but I think I'll probably add your granddaughter's one to my repertoire

 

[FrodoOne]

I put a flag pole up and a Union Flag, some days ago. The flag is firmly attached to one side of the pole, since when,

If you really do mean that "The flag is firmly attached to one side of the pole"
and cannot be raised or lowered
you in contravention of "Flag Protocol"
in that a flag must be lowered at sunset,
unless it is illuminated at night.

https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/uk-flags/british-flag-protocol/

"Flags are normally flown from sunrise to sunset but they may also be flown at night, when they should be illuminated."

 

[ebee]

I do not have a flag or flagpole so am I exempt from anything . Union Flag or St George for England Flag ? or what?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If you really do mean that "The flag is firmly attached to one side of the pole"

The pole, is a surplus carbon fibre caravan awning pole. That is then 'hinged' at it's base, onto a washing pole, and the washing pole welded on top of a scaff pole. The fibre pole, plus flag, can be raised, or lowered via a rope. The top of the flag, is rigidly fixed to the top of the carbon pole. The whole, puts the flag at a height of around 7m high, and is at the highest part, at the very back of my garden, attached to my rear fence.

The tall washing pole, was installed by me, as a support for a clever, weight counter-balanced washing line I devised. It runs from the eaves of my semi, the 50 yards along the garden, to the pole at the rear. A hand-winch is used, to pull the line down, to load, and unload the washing. At the house eaves end, I have a very heavy weight, hanging on a pulley, pulling the line taut. The weight is hidden, and runs inside a vertical plastic length of drain pipe.

A further refinement, was to add a couple of pulleys, one at either end of the mid-section of the line, and an endless wire joining them - so washing could be loaded, and unloaded, whilst standing in one place, just pushing the line along.

Raising the flag at sunrise, and lowering at sunset, would be a step to far.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I must remember that one when trying to teach people about the pitfalls of assuming that association implies causation - and, in particular, the need to get the chicken and eggs the right way around!

Driving along the M62, with a youngster in the passenger seat, on a very clear day, we could see the three big power stations, with clouds of steam billowing out of the cooling towers. Youngster asked - 'is that where they make all the clouds?'..

 

[SUNRAY]

Also a step too far is the height, from memory I think 16ft is the limit for a flagpole without planning permission beyond a month