How to Easily Make a Weather Vane

Weather vanes indicate the wind direction and add a folk art element to your property.

Weather vanes are an element in American folk tradition. The vanes add beauty and function to an outdoor space and were once widely used on farms. Wind direction was important for people in rural areas. For example, a farmer may want to determine which way a storm system is traveling in order to protect animals and crops. Weather vanes range from simple to more elaborate designs. One can easily be made from wood and a few basic tools.

Things You'll Need

• 1-by-6-by-24-inch cedar board
• Pencil
• Band saw
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Drill
• Mounting surface
• 1/4-by-12-inch metal rod

Instructions

1. Place the cedar board on a work surface. Draw an arrow point on one 6-inch wide end. This will be the point to indicate wind direction.

2. Cut the arrow point out with a band saw. Slowly feed the wood through the saw along the pencil line.

3. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the center board on one 1-inch thick edge. The hole should be approximately 3-inches deep.

4. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the surface where you plan to mount the weather vane. Make the hole approximately 3-inches deep.

5. Insert the metal rod into the hole in the mounting surface. Align the 1/4-inch hole in the weather vane with the rod and insert it onto the rod so that the weather vane spins freely.

Tips & Warnings

• Place the weather vane on top of a barn or shed so that it is visible from a distance.

• Wear eye protection when working with wood.

References

• The Franklin Institute: Make Your Own Weather Vane
• Florida International University: Making a Weather Vane

Resources

• Art Talk: Folk Art: The History of Weather Vanes