Hey everyone! I'm a pretty handy guy, but I could use some advice on setting up a 20' flagpole that has a 3" base. I need to dig a hole about 18" wide and 4' deep for the installation. I'm not sure if I should mix the concrete in the hole itself or if I should do it separately and then pour it in. I don't have much storage space for a wheelbarrow, and using 5-gallon buckets feels like it'd be a hassle. Any tips or tricks would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!
3 Answers
I've actually seen folks mix in the hole, but another method is to use a used 55-gallon barrel for mixing. It's only about $15 around here, and you can toss it afterward. Plus, those low-speed mixers you can get for $64 at Harbor Freight are fantastic—they won't burn out like regular drills. Totally worth it if you plan on doing more projects.
Mixing concrete properly is the way to go, especially since you'll be standing up a 20' pole. Even though folks do mix directly in holes for smaller projects like fences, the stakes are higher with a flagpole. If you can snag a helper, I've seen people spread a tarp over the hole and pour mixed concrete that way, which works great!
You might want to check out YouTube for some flagpole installation tutorials. There are tons of videos that can walk you through the process step-by-step.
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely look up some videos to get a better idea.