Need help with galvanized 3-1/2 electrical conduit

[fred d]

Need help with galvanized 3-1/2” electrical conduit

OK this is not really an electrical question.
I have a basketball goal mounted on a 3 1/2 inch piece of galvanized electrical conduit I got from a road construction project.
I have a 10 foot above the ground and approximately five below the ground. My kids are grown and do not use the basketball goal anymore.

I want to add onto the top of the pole and make it into a flagpole.
Would like to reduce the 3-1/2” down to 2” or 1-1/2”and make it 20 foot tall. Trying to find out where I could buy the reducers and 10’ of the reduced size pipe to do this

 

[Aceman]

Are you sure it's not 3" conduit? 3" ID, 3.5" OD?

If it is, I'd just use a 3" x 2" bell reducer and thread the 2" in. Done.

You should be able to get galv 2" pipe cheaper than conduit too.

 

[walta]

From a structural point of view I do not think a reducer will stand up the forces needed to extend 10 feet.

I think you will need to connect the 2 inch pipe to the larger pipe at 2 points at least 2 feet apart.

I say fill the large pipe with concrete then drop several feet of the 2 inch in the concrete then slide down the reducer.

Walta

 

[Norcal]

The weak point is going to be the threads suspect that they will snap before a bell reducer does.

 

[BillK]

Re: Need help with galvanized 3-1/2” electrical conduit

Trying to find out where I could buy the reducers and 10’ of the reduced size pipe to do this

To answer your question, if it is electrical conduit then an electrical supply house should have what you need. See if you have a Rexel or United Electric near you.

 

[BD1]

I would skip the the threaded reducing fittings and use the existing pipe as a sleeve.Determine how far you want the pipe inside, drill a hole thru the 3 and 1/2'', add bolt and nut for a stop to support the pipe that will drop inside.
Buy a threaded steel cap and hole saw the center out for what size you need, say 2'' .
If you don't want to buy cap just shim between the two. You might check for a plumbing rubber fitting like this used in underground.

 

[fred d]

Are you sure it's not 3" conduit? 3" ID, 3.5" OD?

If it is, I'd just use a 3" x 2" bell reducer and thread the 2" in. Done.

You should be able to get galv 2" pipe cheaper than conduit too.

Yes
Outside diameter is 3.5

 

[fred d]

The weak point is going to be the threads suspect that they will snap before a bell reducer does.

This is a concern that I have

 

[Marctrees]

Post will get more and better answers in "Fab and techniques" sub forum.

For the purposes of this discussion the fact that it is technically Electrical conduit has no relevance.

As said above, strongest end result will be from some method of telescoping the small into the larger pipe.

Marc