I posted some 'before and after' pics of my Esso Pole and sign some years ago. Since then my sign blew down (winds can get fierce in this valley). As I contemplate getting some vintage, swinging hangars to properly hang my sign, I noticed considerable rust where the pole sets into the base. I was worried that the pole might break in a strong wind.
It is hard to find anyone who can weld cast iron. While cleaning out the rust between the base and the pole I took a closer look at the issue. Some of the 'rippled' metal rusted away and there appears to be a plain metal pole underneath the rippled skin. Am I right about this? In other words, is the ripple part of the outside skin laminated on top of a regular pole? If so,
I think that part appears to be rust free and I can stop worrying about it and just concentrate on finding some proper hangers for my Esso sign. Thanks!

No Those poles were formed in the flutued shape when they were made.

Thanks for your response. Anyone have any suggestions how to properly repair this pole so it doesn't break off in a strong wind?

All the Esso “Major” poles I’ve had did indeed have another smaller tube inserted from the bottom and it extends about 5’ up inside the fluted pole. This is true also with both Esso “Minor” poles that I have. They are double walled up to about the 5’ mark. The base on your Major is cast iron but the pole is steel.

Michael

Well. that explains what looks to be a peeling away of the rippled skin of the pole where it meets the base. Where it has rusted away, you can actually stick a pencil up under that rippled part for a couple of inches. However, the 'tube' appears to be solid, so I'm going to try to do some cosmetic work on the rusted out rippled 'skin' and assume the pole will withstand the winds in our valley. Thank you very much for the info.