How to Make Your Own Weathervane

By Brian Adler

  • Overview

    Weather vanes are used to determine the direction of the wind. Used since ancient times, the weather vane consists of a thin wooden or metal plate or board atop a rod or staff. The board rotates in the breeze, turning toward indicators marked with the directions. Weather vanes are usual placed on rooftops or other high points. Often made in the shape of animals or arrows, a common traditional design is that of a rooster. The rooster's beak points in the direction of the blowing wind.
    Traditional rooster weather vane

    • Step 1

      Select pieces of thin but strong wood. Weather vanes must be light enough to turn in a slight breeze, but strong enough to withstand high winds. The pole should be about as thick as a small flagpole. Cut out a simple picture of a rooster--the kind used as a Thanksgiving decoration is ideal. Place the wooden board on a table. Place your rooster cut out on top of it and trace its outline. Cut the rooster out of the wood.

    • Step 2

      Lay the wooden pole on top of the rooster so its end reaches most of the way up the rooster's body. The pole should continue down below the rooster's feet. Attach a bracket over the pole in about the rooster's middle. You may need to bend the bracket to get to get it to fit properly. You want a close fit, but not a snug fit. The rooster must be able to turn in the wind. If you have no bracket, you can bend a metal strip to the desired strip. Secure the bracket with screws or nails.

    • Step 3

      Hammer 2 small nails into the pole a little below the rooster's feet. Remove the rooster from the pole. Slip a washer over the pole, allowing it to come to rest on top of the 2 nails. Take one of the laths and paint the letter "N" at one end of the flat side. Next, paint the letter "S" at the opposite end of the same side. Turn the lath over and do the same thing. The letters should be large enough to be seen from a distance. Do exactly the same things to the second lath except, in place of the "N," paint "E," and in place of the "S," paint "W."

    • Step 4

      Attach one of the laths to the pole at a point about 6 inches below the 2 nails. You may use screws, nails, staples or glue. The letters on either end of the lath should be equidistant from the pole. Take the second lath and attach it to the poll immediately below, and perpendicular to, the first lath. Your weather vane is now ready for use. Take your weather vane to its intended location. Align it to true north before fixing it in place. The rooster's beak must point toward the "N" on the lath. A wind blowing from due south would cause the beak to point due north. You can use a compass, or the sun, to find true north.
    • Skill: Easy
    • Ingredients:
    • Narrow wooden pole, 3 feet long
    • Thin wooden board, about 18 inches by 18 inches
    • Cutout of rooster
    • 2 thin wooden laths, 18 inches long
    • Metal bracket or strip of metal
    • Metal washer or ring that will fit snugly over pole
    • Tip: Decorate your weather vane in your favorite colors, or paint it to look like a real rooster. The letters for the directions may be replaced with decals or cut outs. You can also write out the full name of the direction. Additional directions, such as NW or SE, can be added on additional laths placed below the existing ones.
    • Warning:
    • Place your weather vane in a safe and secure location. It should not blow over and strike or break other objects. It should also be away from the interference of waving branches and from power lines or antennas.

    © Demand Media 2011