The list of potential uses that one telescoping pole provides can go on nearly endlessly. These aren’t poles used for making telescopes, a telescoping pole is actually a retractable rod that’s used for different purposes, from walking canes to fishing rods. Depending on your intended usage, there are telescoping poles available in a variety of materials. A fiberglass telescoping pole or telescoping pole aluminum components make for a lightweight, portable telescoping pole. While a heavy duty telescoping pole can withstand higher winds, harsher environments and heavier payloads, they often weigh two to three times that of the previously mentioned telescoping pole. Hence, the most commonly used ones today are the fiberglass telescoping poles and the reasons are fairly obvious.
Features Of A Fiberglass Telescoping Pole
- Lightweight
- Easily portable
- Weather resistant
- Variety of colors and finishes
These features of fiberglass flagpoles are particularly relevant in snowy or seaside environments. High-moisture and salt levels in the air can decimate metallic types of telescoping poles. When you are counting on a pole to support expensive mobile cameras, transmitters or receivers, you want something that you can trust anytime you need it.
Common Telescoping Pole Uses
- Automotive attachments such as snowbrushes, drying mops or chamois leather cleaners.
- Dusting attachments for around the home
- Window cleaning attachments such as a squeegee.
- Swimming pool skimmers
- Camera tripods
- Fishing rods
- Pruners and so much more
A heavy duty telescoping pole will provide outstanding strength and load bearing capacities. These are typically used in installations that are more permanent. Care should be taken when using longer telescoping poles to reinforce the structure with tie-downs or strapping to provide optimal stability.
Heavy Duty Telescoping Pole Uses
- Ham radio or amateur radio antennas
- Weather station mounting
- Wide area network deployment
- Television antenna masts
- Transmitter and receiver mounting
- Mast lighting towers
Many of these telescoping flag pole types are made from lightweight metals. When erecting a telescoping tower, care should always be taken to avoid electrical sources. Also, keep in mind that a tall, metal tower on your property might attract lightning strikes. To prevent possible equipment damage or injury, here are some precautions users must take into serious consideration.
Telescoping Tower Precautions
- Never extend a tower during a thunderstorm.
- Protect your equipment using grounding kits on any connected equipment. These are often very affordable and incredibly simple to install.
- Avoid placing equipment at the highest point of the telescoping pole. Lighting most often strikes the highest point of an object. By placing your equipment a few feet down on the pole, you can reduce the chance of a direct lightning hit to your equipment.
Finding the optimal telescoping pole for your needs will provide dependable results while saving you money. While short, light-duty poles might be rather affordable, a longer heavy duty telescoping pole can cost hundreds of dollars. By finding a pole that fits your needs, you can get the most utility for your money spent. Telescoping poles are available both on the Internet and at many home improvement or hardware stores. Specialized telescoping poles are available in lengths of over 40-feet as well. As with any purchase, checking prices between multiple vendors will often provide the best pricing.