Good sources of flag staffs?

[v_lazy_dragon]

Hi All - a long term lurker is surfacing once again!

This is one of those requests which could fit in any number of places (especially Colonial & Old west)... I was wondering who is the best source of flag staffs/banner poles/etc in 28mm?

I've got some Foundry 7th Cav & some Old Glory Dismounted SAW Cav, and a few of the figures are standard bearers. As the force is for VSF, this doesn't matter a jot, but I haven't any idea where to get suitable poles/sticks from (I'm planning to use warflags for the actual standards themselves)

So: What lengths do people recommend? 40mm? 60mm? Judging from the figures and a ruler, about 45-50mm would be perfect
Any materials especially recommended?
And who is the best source? (I note that Perry minis do packs of 40mm & 80mm spears/pikes, although quite whether I need 80 is a different matter! )
 
Cheers folks - hopefully I can get some pictures up once they are finished!

[JollyBob]

I've never been tempted to do flags for my minis, but if I did, I'd use some appropriately sized brass rod.

It would be less likely to bend than the cast flagpoles/spears/pikes that you can get, I think. You should be able to pick some up from most decent model and hobby stores. It comes in various thicknesses, and you can cut it to whatever length you want with side cutters or pliers.

I think it can also be bught from several online suppliers, like Antenociti's Workshop.

[revford]

Depending on the size of the flag bearers hands I'd use either a cut down wire spear, or for the big handed monsters a cocktail stick with the points cut off.

[Lowtardog]

I have used florist wire in the same way as JB describes if you want a number of companies do finials (spear tip) to put on top e.g. Front Rank etc

[Cory]

As the others have said, wire or brass rod is the way to go. A small bead or green stuff ball can be used to finish off the top if the pole is too plain for your taste.

[v_lazy_dragon]

Thanks for that folks - In the end I used a thin brass rod...

[Argonor]

I would have suggested brass or plastic rod, too.

A friend of mine once used one of those 'meat needles' (used to keep for instance poultry closed up for frying/cooking) for a Bretonnian banner bearer....

[HerbyF]

Straight pins work pretty good too

[former user]

I always used stell rods which are available in several diameters

either glue something on top or flatten the surface

perry yaginatas are also nice

[Dewbakuk]

I've used brass rod for some. However, to be honest all my flags these days are bought from the Flag Dude http://www.flagdude.com/

They come with rods and finials. There was a flag that I wanted and wasn't on his list so he asked for a picture, which I sent and he made it. Great service and a great product.

[Major Weenie]

Years ago the most recent ex-girlfriend was trying to be supportive of the hobby,
She was asking questions, the answers to which she didn't really care about, and somehow we got onto the subject of 'spears & flagstaffs.'  Many of the members of our local club use florist's wire, magical aerospace steel, etc. etc. and then hammer the ends and file them into points.  On hearing this description she looked at me as if I were stupid, I think that was her favorite part of this conversation, and said, "Why don't you just use the bristles from one of those cheap brooms with plastic bristles?  They come in different colors.  So you could just pick the color pastic that you want, trim it to the right length, and not even have to paint it."
She was right.
Now what I do is keep a broom with tan/brown/wood colored bristles.  I cut off a length.  Then to create the point I heat a pair of pliers - smooth pliers, no ridges on the inside - squeeze the end into a flat circle, and then when that cools I trim it into a point.
It works pretty well, and since the spear is flexible you don't stab yourself accidentally or knock the spear out of the figure's hands when you bump it.
No photos yet, but I'll go look for some to post later.
MW

[former user]

now that's a brillant idea....

[Major Weenie]

Yup,
She was a smart cookie.
And here are some photos.

Boxer with a flag, but the point just out of frame.


A 'fast & dirty' Dervish with both a flag and a spear.


And a Mexican Federale, with a flag, and a point just barely in view.


Regards,
MW

[Tommy20]

I use brass rod myself.  I do think, though, that there might be a (small) market for finials cast to go on top of the rod.

[OSHIROmodels]

GW used to do some 'Empire' flag staffs with finials on top, probably too over the top and I doubt you can get them now anyway 

cheers

James