Letting off steam

[Cush]

This is not a bike related bike thread though it will probably affect the amount of cycling I can do in the next month.
My cheap o flag pole sheared off in high winds at the start of February. After due consideration, I decided to replace it with an expensive one with a hinge on it. This has meant taking out the old concrete foundation and digging a deeper one. No easy task with cold chisels and club a hammer but I did it . Then on Saturday, I mixed and poured fresh concrete into the hole (1000mm *560mm*520mm). Yes it was hard and as I had not ordered enough bags of ready mix there was a panic rush to B & Q (twice) to re-supply but the base plate was level and everything looked good. Yesterday the shuttering was taken away and the hole backfilled. Plans were made for a weekend of riding.
Today the hinge plate was offered to the base plate. It went over three of the rods but would not fit on the fourth. On getting the help of two neighbours , it was found the back rod is slightly (possibly less than a mm)twisted to the left. Now I am waiting to hear what the pole suppliers suggest (I admit it is probably my error) but I fear I may have to dig out concrete again. No, I haven't sworn or thrown a tantrum (in fact for me I am remarkably calm) but I must admit I am extremely close to both.
Ah, that is better my woes are in writing. Now I just have to wait and hear my fate tomorrow but I fear it will be more work with the club hammer and chisel and then I may turn the air blue.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Surely you can modify the 4th hole..as it will have washer and bolt fixing..

got a pic?

 

[snorri]

If only a mm out, could you not enlarge the hole in the hinge plate?

 

[Cush]

Surely you can modify the 4th hole..as it will have washer and bolt fixing..

got a pic?

That was my first though but it is a pretty substantive plate. I am reluctant to modify (or use the club hammer) until I hear suggestions from the pole suppliers.

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^+1 file out the hole in the base plate.

 

[vernon]

Don't bother with the flag pole and used the base mount as a ground anchor for the motorcycle that you are about to buy to console yourself with.

 

[PeteXXX]

If you were to straighten the rod with a hammer, use a nylon or copper headed one, that way you won't mullah the thread.. Or just enlarge the hole a bit as already mentioned.

 

[Piemaster]

1mm isn't much. If you're certain the rods are in the correct place where they go into the concrete ie. the one is a bit off plumb give it a tap. Putting the nut onto the thread and hitting that will work in lieu of a mallet or a bit of wood/finger. If its not quite correct I'd be a bit more wary as forcing the plate down onto the base when tightening nuts up will force the rod into place. It may not sit right or crack the new concrete which could let water down next to the bolt and cause corrosion.

I'd just go with the other suggestions and file the hole.

 

[wheresthetorch]

Definitely recommend use of the BFH in these sorts of cases (big f_ hammer).

 

[Cush]

Thanks for the helpful reply's I will be in touch with the flagpole company in the next hour and then will have a better idea of what to do. I have to admit that I am liable to make typos and spelling mistakes at any time but especially late at night after a stressful day. Nah I am not Racist except when Newcastle meets Sunderland

 

[Cush]

Flagpole now up, not perfectly straight but that will be done tomorrow. Took advice from posters on here and also from the flagpole suppliers and used a HH supplemented by a hefty steel capped boot placed perfectly in the nether regions.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Definitely recommend use of the BFH in these sorts of cases (big f_ hammer).

Ah, yes: the BFH, an early version of the BFG-9000.