Does anyone know an affordable source for the T shape banner poles, such as are used for church banner that may be carried in processionals? I'm making a new banner for one of our churches and we very much need a new banner pole as well, but the ones sold by church supply places are way beyond the budget of this small church. I've done some searching on Google, but haven't found what I want and it's a way slow process whenyou have dial-up!
I hope I'm not being sacrilegious here, but it sounds like something that could be easily assembled for just a few bucks from some pvc piping and joints then covered with fabric (which could even be hot glued) either with or without foam padding beneath. And because I'm goofy that way, I'd wrap the section of the upright that will be held by the person carrying it in a soft, pretty piece of scrap leather which can only be improved by handling.
Kathleen
PVC pipe might be a little wonky unless you get a large enough diameter and that could be difficult to hang on to for any length of time. You can also buy wood doweling in all sorts of diameter sizes and use a T fitting from the plumbing department, use it to assemble the cut doweling to appropriate size and paint it accordingly. The leather wrap is a nifty idea.
Val
On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 11:59:41 -0400, Kathleen wrote (in message ):
PVC pipe would probably be too lightweight and wouldn't stay standing up straight in the diameter that would fit our current stand. I figure I could probably create a pole that would look decent AND breaks down from curtain rods, but I just don't want to do it! As it is I'm trying to get the banner done and don't want to worry about making a pole too. May yet, but I'd surely rather find an affordable one I can buy!
It doesn't help that we need one we can break down or collapse so fit in a car. The current pole doesn't do either so we have to drive our minivan anywhere we're taking the banner! At current gas prices, that's just not good!
On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 13:51:24 GMT in alt.sewing, Nann Bell wrote,
Can you consult with a church member who does woodworking?
Home Depot. 8' of PVC pipe is about $3.
Design: plan to cut the pipe into convenient-length sections. Pick up a bunch of in-line connectors (less than $1 each); these also add vertical reinforcement. Use a T at the top, and have it stick out to each side the desired width. Get a couple of end cap fittings for the ends. Spray-paint those gold or wood color.
To get the pipe info off the white plastic, use nail polish remover.
If it needs a handle of some sort, add a loop made from several right-angle connectors.
For more stability, get the PVC pipe glue, and make several of the connections permanent.
FWIW, you can cut the existing flag rod in half or thirds, and add connectors to it that will allow it to fit in a smaller vehicle. (If bicycle manufacturers can do this with tandems and travel bikes, it will work for your banner pole.)
HTH
There's a reason I know all this; feel free to ask more questions. PVC is, as mentioned, dirt cheap, so you can even make two versions. The "fall-off" is great for casement window supports in an older house, garden flag poles, and more.
--Karen D.
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