How to Make a Weather Vein
Weathervanes have been used by farmer's and sailors for centuries to determine wind direction and forecast weather conditions. Today, weathervanes serve as decorative home and landscaping elements as well. Weathervanes can be made in any material, from paper to wood or metal, using artistic techniques and materials to personalize them. The only requirements are that they must have an arrow point that indicates the wind direction and a tail end that swings the vane into the wind.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Square dowel 1 inch x 1 inch x 24 inch
- Wood slat, 4 inch x l/2 inch x 12 inch
- Long, thin nail
- Small wood nails
- Wood glue
- Fender washer
- Post, 3 inch x 3 inch x 10 feet (or house / garage roof point)
- Coping saw
- Dremmel tool
- Hammer
- Post hole digger
- Pencil
- Permanent marker
- Paint
- Compass
Instructions
-
-
1
Draw an equilateral triangle (2 inch x 2 inch x 2 inch) for the arrow's pointer on one end of the wood slat. On the other end of the slat, draw the arrow's fin in the shape of an isosceles triangle (6 inch x 6 inch x 4 inch). On the 3-inch base, draw a 1-inch line up from the center (2 inches from either side), and then draw a line from each corner to the top of the 1-inch line, forming a smaller, squatter triangle. Use a coping saw to cut these shapes out.
-
2
Cut slits in both ends of the wooden dowel that are wide enough to fit the arrow head and fin, so the arrow and fin will both be vertical. Center a line of wood glue on both sides of the arrow head and slide it into one of the dowel slots, then secure it with small wood nail. Place a line on both sides of the arrow fin, slid it into the slot on the opposite end of the dowel and secure it in place with a wood nail.
-
-
3
Estimate the center of the arrow by placing the fin and arrow in the vertical position and resting the dowel on an extended finger, making adjustments until the weight balances. Mark this spot with the pencil. Use the Dremmel tool to drill a hole slightly bigger than the long nail. Note that this allows the arrow to pivot freely. Paint the arrow.
-
4
Mark the center of the 10-foot post and drill a guide hole. Place the long nail through the hole in the arrow's dowel and then through the fender washer being used as a spacer. Test the wind vane to make sure it swivels freely by holding the bottom of the nail and spinning the arrow. Secure the arrow to the post by hammering at the guide hole position.
-
5
Decide the weathervane's location. Create a hole with the post hole digger that's a minimum 64-inch depth and wide enough to accommodate the post. Test the depth by placing the post in the hole and having a second person standing back to see if the hole seems deep enough to hold the post up adequately. Make the hole deeper as necessary.
-
6
Use permanent maker or brightly colored paint to Mark N (north), E (east), S (south) and W (west) on the four sides of the 10-foot post. Use the compass to determine where north is located. Place the post in the hole with the north side of the post facing north. Have a second person fill the hole in around the post.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit VELETA image by RAMON CAMI from Fotolia.com
