Afterall..., ground dug relics can be fun ..

[Jos L C]

Here're a few of the ground dug flag poles which I gathered over the years .., always fascinated by them..

Not very hopeful though, dirty, damaged, corroded, bent, not working etc.., so I started a project.., it was all or nothing and I was curious what was inside..
Wish I never started, can tell you that it was very frustrating and a lot of work ..


Jos.

[Jos L C]

See what I mean ?


Jos.

[Jos L C]

If, after soaking them in strong vinegar for days, weeks, I still can't move one of the tubes, I start to peel them off .., hoping to find a decent tube ..

Jos.

[Jos L C]

Some good ones and those which are damaged, stuck, weak etc..


Jos.

[Jos L C]

Luck is major factor, because you need 8 different tubes ..
Most of the time the copper rings stay in when (finally) a tube comes out and they have to be removed seperately, a very frustrating and time consuming job ..

Many of the tubes have holes or weak spots and have to be fixed, almost impossible, cause they're very thin material ..

The ones in the pic are a selection of the best ..


Jos.

[Jos L C]

... but finally ...,after many more steps ..

... and all are in working condition.., not as smooth as they were new ofcourse .., but hey ..

Flags are copied from a original ..

Jos.

[Jos L C]

....


Jos.

[RamJet]

Nice work, Jos!

[Leroy]

Wonderful!

[Andy F-P]

Jos,
That looks a really interesting and worthwhile project. However, you must have the patience of a saint!
Regards,
Andy

[AndyC]

Great work


Andy

[frank savage]

Great!

Really a restoration wizard!

My compliments!

Cheers!

[Pierre]

Great results which need serious skills.

Pierre

[WEISNER]

Wonderful Jos! You are a very patient man and the results are stunning!
You now have three very tough to find working poles from what most would not even consider decent scrap!
Best Regards!

Kevin

[JeremyJ]

..

Nice job!!