How to Make a Wooden Weather Vane

Select pieces of wood that are thin and light. If the wood is too heavy, it will not move easily in the wind. The wood must also be strong enough to withstand high winds. The pole itself should be about as thick as a small flagpole. The wooden beam should be a little wider than the pole. Place the wooden beam on a table, widest side down. Stand the pole up on top of it exactly in the middle of the beam. Trace a circle around the end of the pole. Remove the pole. Using a compass, trace a second circle outside the original circle. The outer circle must be only slightly larger than the inner circle. You are making a hole for the pole. The idea is to create a space that is just large enough to allow your pole to fit neatly but not tightly. The beam must be able to move freely over the pole. Cut out the outer circle.

Draw a triangle on the piece of thin board. The triangle should about two or three times as wide as the wide part of the wooden beam. Cut out the triangle. Lay the wooden beam on a table with the wide side facing up. Place the triangle on top of the wide side of the beam near one of the ends. The triangle should partially overlap the wide side, but most of it should be hanging off the end. The point of the triangle should point away from the hole in the middle of the beam. Attach the triangle to the beam using glue, nails or staples. The triangle serves as an arrow to show the direction of the wind.

Insert two small nails about six inches from one end of the pole. The nails should be opposite each other but at the same end of the pole. Take one of the laths and write the letter "N" at one end of the flat side. Next, write the letter "S" at the opposite end of the same side. Turn the lath over and do the same thing. The letters should be fairly large and in a noticeable color. You must be able to see them from a distance. Now, take the second lath and do exactly the same thing you did to the first, with the following exceptions -- instead of an "N," write an "E," and instead of an "S" write a "W."

Attach one of the laths to the pole at a point about six inches below the two nails. Again, you may use glue, nails or staples. The lath should be attached at its midpoint. Take the second lath and attach it to the pole immediately below, and perpendicular to, the first lath. The two laths must be perpendicular to each other to show the proper directions. Slip the washer over the end of the pole that has the two nails. Push the washer down so it rests snugly on top of the nails. Slip the wooden beam over this same end. Your weather vane is now ready to use. Align it to north -- the "N" on the lath -- before fixing it in its intended location. Use either a compass or the sun to determine true north.