Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2002 » 08/01/2002 to 08/31/2002 » Telescopic pole safety... « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

DeadlyEyes
Posted on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 12:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The common garden variety telescopic pole is one the standard antenna supports. BUT even this humble object requires some safety precautions.

The most obvious being do not ever put one where it can fall on the power wires comming into your house.

Another problem is how to secure the sections. Most telescopic poles come with a hand turned screw and a hole in which cotter pins are set.

Well folks dont trust those tension screws to hold the sections secure. They do slip. Once I had to duck and jam the ol grill into the hot roof to avoid being hit by antenna parts.

Try this next time you put up a telescopic pole. Rather than rely on either those tension bolts or cotter pins take a cordless drill with a quarter inch bit and some stainless steel nuts and bolts to fit into a hole you will drill. As you pull up each section and get it into place tighten the friction bolt and then drill a safety hole thru and thru the overlapping section. Insert the stainless steel bolt tighten the whole thing down. If you do this to each section not only will the overlaps not slip but they will also not spin/rotate.

You might also seal the gaps and overlaps whee water might seep in with caulking or natures wonder tool, Duct Tape! Place a plastic cap on the top to keep the rain out and drill a weep hole in the base of the pole to allow any moisture collecting to drain out.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Taz
Posted on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 8:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Uhh each section on my old pushup pole has holes that the screws go into on the inner section
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Capncrunch
Posted on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 11:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

mine doesnt have holes for screws seems like a good idea
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

DE
Posted on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 8:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Re Taz

Cap is correct. AND you are correct. Some do and some do not. Either way the extra small hole with nut and bolt (Preferably Stainless Steel) is like an insurance policy. Just in case.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Taz
Posted on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 11:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mine have always had the holes and spots for pins