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Beautiful do-it-yourself weather vane: interesting solutions. Do-it-yourself weather vane for the roof Drawing of a weather vane for the roof

Beautiful do-it-yourself weather vane: interesting solutions. Do-it-yourself weather vane for the roof Drawing of a weather vane for the roof

weather vane – meteorological instrument, used to determine the direction of the wind, as well as its speed and strength. It is a metal flag with a counterweight at the other end. Rotating around its axis, the device rotates under the influence of wind. The compass rose is installed on the same axis.

Of course, wind parameters nowadays are measured with special electronic devices, so an ordinary weather vane is often used as decorative detail on the roof of the house.

No one can accurately guess when people began to use weather vanes. The oldest one at the moment can be considered a weather vane, made by a Greek astronomer a little over 2000 years ago. It crowned the Tower of the Winds in ancient Athens and also had a symbolic meaning.

Weathervanes were very popular in the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. In coastal port cities, it was necessary to determine whether the wind would allow the ship to dock. To this day, they decorate the roofs of buildings, striking with their variety of shapes and, at times, being real works of art, but only as decoration.


Types of weather vanes

According to their functional significance, weather vanes are divided into the following types:

  • Meteorological instruments. Precisely balanced wind vanes that measure wind direction. This also includes Wild weather vanes, which allow you to determine wind speed. The design of the latter contains a propeller or plate that swings under the influence of air flow. The propeller also serves to scare away birds;
  • Chimney weather vanes . Protect the chimney from wind blowing, preventing smoke;
  • Decorative weather vanes . Artfully crafted weather vanes are commonly used to decorate a home and add personality to a home, adding a unique flair. Mostly they are figurines of animals, mythical creatures or birds, but there are also very original ones, reflecting the tastes of the home owners.

Often all of the above types are contained in one device.


Symbolism of weather vanes

Over the past centuries, the weather vane has become the subject of legends and served not only as a decoration for the building, but also as a kind of amulet. According to the Eastern teachings of Feng Shui, a weather vane helps to establish warm, friendly relations with neighbors.

The most popular are weather vanes with the image of a rooster, especially in Russia. The rooster symbolizes vigilance. In folk legends, he could scare away evil spirits, protect the home from fires and other disasters. In Christianity, the rooster is considered a symbol of St. Apostle Peter.

In Asian countries, weathervanes in the form of dragons are often found. The dragon personifies wisdom, and a weather vane with its image also serves as a talisman.


When choosing a weather vane figurine for your home, it would not be superfluous to ask what this or that image means. For example: a cat serves as a symbol home comfort, the eagle is called upon to protect from enemies, the lion represents strength and power, the ship represents determination, the stork represents the family hearth.

It is not necessary to strictly adhere to any canons. You can choose the figure you like. If you wish, it is not at all difficult to make a weather vane with your own hands.

Materials for making a weather vane

To create a weather vane, it is preferable to use metal: sheet steel or copper. This design will last a very long time without losing its attractiveness or deteriorating from exposure. environment. They look very impressive Forged Products.

Wood and plywood structures also work, but they suffer from precipitation and temperature changes. To extend their service life, they are coated with a special compound and varnish.

Quite often in Lately Plastic is used to make weather vanes. It is lightweight, non-corrosive and impervious to precipitation. But his life is relatively short.

The simplest weather vane can be made from plastic bottles or CDs. Of course, such a device can decorate a modest garden house, a greenhouse or a shed, but not a solid cottage.


Required Tools

The material chosen to make the weather vane determines the set of appropriate tools for processing it, including everything necessary to install the weather vane on the roof.

Possible set of tools: ruler, drill, various drills and files, emery, hammer, soldering iron, jigsaw (for working with wooden parts, plywood or plastic). Depending on the complexity of the design, it may be necessary lathe and an anvil.

Main parts of a weather vane

The weather vane design includes:

  • bearing axle;
  • flag with counterweight;
  • frame;
  • a cap that protects the housing from water;
  • compass rose showing the 4 cardinal directions


Before you make a weather vane with your own hands, you need to select or carefully draw up a drawing of the weather vane. This will help avoid errors and inaccuracies in the design.

The weather vane can be any size; there are no strict rules. But basically they stick to the size 70 x 40 cm (for a cottage).

Making a weather vane from metal

  • To construct the body, a piece of metal pipe is taken, about 130 mm long and 13 mm in diameter, in the upper part of which a thread is cut. A bearing is installed inside the lower part of the pipe with internal diameter 9 mm. It is advisable to use a bearing with a closed housing that is not susceptible to moisture;
  • A rod made of smooth reinforcement, 450 mm long and 10 mm in diameter, is used as the axis of the weather vane. The rod is sharpened to a diameter of 9 mm on a lathe or using emery. Adjustable to bearing size;
  • To make a wind rose, metal rods (preferably steel) of small diameter are taken. They are welded at right angles to the housing cover and end with letters indicating the 4 cardinal directions;


  • A thread is made on the inside of the cover, then the cover with the compass rose is installed on the weather vane body;
  • The rod of the structure is fixed in the hole in the cover and fixed in the bearing. Then the ease of rotation of the structure around its axis is checked;
  • To prevent atmospheric moisture from penetrating inside the case, a special cap is fixed above the lid;
  • The axis is adjusted to the required size and a decorative flag is attached to it - the main decoration of the product. This is done by welding, but you can use bolts or rivets.

Figurine for a weather vane

The most interesting creative moment is to make a weather vane flag figurine.

The size is selected individually, taking into account the dimensions of the entire structure as a whole. For windage, the figure should be somewhat stretched along the horizontal plane.

The design you like is cut out of paper and glued to the material from which the figure will be made (metal, plastic or plywood). Then it is cut out with an appropriate tool (for example, metal scissors).


The edges of the product are carefully processed with a file. Metal flags are often embossed.

How to properly install a weather vane on a roof

Immediately before installation, the product body should be filled with lubricant (for example, grease).

The height at which the weather vane is mounted must be at least 10 m from the ground, at the highest point of the building. The weather vane is attached to the ridge of the roof or to the cap of the stove (or ventilation) pipe. Since the structure is constantly subject to loads under the influence of wind, it is advisable to install and test for strength with special care.

An important point is the orientation of the weather vane to the cardinal points. A compass is used to determine them.

Attaching the weather vane to the pipe cap

The cap of a stove or ventilation pipe is the most convenient place for fixing the weather vane. In this case, the thickness of the metal of the cap itself must be 1.5 mm or more!


A bracket is installed in the cap. For this, a strip of steel 2 mm thick is used, bent at both ends by 30–50 mm. The bracket is secured with rivets.

A weather vane axle with a thread at the very bottom is inserted into the pre-drilled hole in the cap and secured to the bracket using a washer and nut.

Attaching a weather vane to a roof ridge

In order to secure the weather vane to the roof ridge, you will need 2 strong, bent at an angle, metal plates.

When installing, you must act carefully so as not to damage the roof or break its tightness.

Simple DIY weather vane

Not everyone can afford luxurious cottages decorated with exquisite wrought iron weather vanes. For the humble country house you can build a weather vane from inexpensive materials, showing your own imagination with minimal material costs.

To decorate your summer cottage, you can make a figurine of an animal driven in the wind using a propeller.


To make such a device, you can take plywood, if possible, moisture-resistant. The propeller wheel is made of tin, the edges are bent to form the blades. The parts of the device should not fit tightly to each other in order to ensure easy rotation of the weather vane. The resulting product can be painted.

How to make a weather vane with your own hands from plastic bottles

The most “budget” option is to make a weather vane using two plastic bottles.

One bottle is cut and a propeller is made, the second is used to make a weather vane. Next, the parts are strung on a metal rod and installed in the right place.

Regardless of the complexity of the weather vane design, its creation and installation must be approached responsibly, then the device will function correctly and not only deliver Aesthetic pleasure its appearance, but also be useful as a meteorological instrument.

Knowing the direction of the wind can be useful, because it is not for nothing that wind indicators - weather vanes - have been installed on almost all roofs for a long time. There are very simple models - just an arrow that shows where the air flow is directed. There are entire works of art - three-dimensional models. We will talk further about how and what to make a weather vane with your own hands.

What to make a weather vane from

Wind direction indicators are made from the most different materials. The main thing is that these materials are durable and can withstand weather conditions well. These conditions are met following materials:

The most durable, naturally, are metal weather vanes. But cutting sheet metal- difficult task. Thinner sheets - 2-3 mm, you can also try to cut them with a jigsaw with files good quality. And then you have to stock them in large quantities. All other materials are cut with a bang by this tool.

Where to get it or how to make a sketch

Sketches for a weather vane can be found with dimensions, or you can create them from a suitable picture. To do this, any picture you like must be uploaded to one of the photo editors, enlarged to the right size and print. This trick can be done with COREL.

Another option is to open the drawing in AutoCAD and outline the contours with half-lines. You will get the desired outline. It can be increased to the desired size.

If with computer programs You are not very friendly, you will have to work with your hands - draw out the drawing into small squares, then transfer it to paper on a large scale.

How to make a weather vane

Glue the finished sketch of a weather vane in natural size, printed on paper, onto a piece of material of the required size. Any in an accessible way transfer the contours to the material. You can do this:

Using the marks, we restore the contour. On some materials this can be done with a pencil or marker, for metal - only with the same punch.

Next, you need to cut out the body of the weather vane along the resulting contour. You should choose a tool for cutting a weather vane depending on the type of material. In most cases, a jigsaw is suitable. For softer materials, you can also use a hand saw. For metal 2-3 mm thick, you can also try to cut a weather vane using hand saw or jigsaw. True, it will take a lot of time. The metal is thicker, even the most powerful jigsaw will not take it. For such a case, you can use a welding machine and a large chisel. Straight and not very rounded areas, you can try to cut them with a grinder.

After the “body” of the weather vane is cut out, the edges are processed until smooth. To do this, use needle files, files, and sandpaper. If you have an angle grinder, the process can be speeded up by putting grinding discs different grain sizes.

How to make a turning mechanism

In order for the weather vane to perform its actions, it must be movably fixed. And so that at the slightest wind it turns. To do this, the “body” of the weather vane itself is attached to the rod, and bottom part to the roof or chimney (if they make a weather vane - a chimney cap with a weather vane). These two parts are connected movably - using bearings or other similar connections.

Using a ball

You can find any bearing and weld two parts of the “holder” to it. You can make a rotating mechanism without a bearing, but with a ball of a suitable size or cone.

To make a rotary weather vane mechanism, you will need two metal pipes different diameters or pin smaller diameter and a larger pipe. Moreover, they must be selected so that one fits into the other with a minimum gap (2-3 mm).

The weather vane body is attached/welded to the wider pipe. Moreover, it is necessary to make sure that top part the pipes were sealed. The lower tube or pin is used to attach the cardinal direction indicator. This is what is attached to the roof. Its upper part should also be welded or sealed.

If welding machine If you don’t have them in your arsenal, you can use wooden plugs - they are driven tightly into the pipe. For reliability, you can lubricate the walls universal glue. But this option - with wooden plugs - cannot last too long. Frequent turns will wear away the wood, so after a while the rotating mechanism of the weather vane will have to be restored.

When assembling the weather vane, a ball from the bearing is placed on the installed pin, and the weather vane body with a welded pipe is placed on top. For smoother rotation, you can add oil to the mechanism. After this, you can assume that you have already made a weather vane with your own hands. True, you still need to secure it, and doing this is far from easy - working at heights with a heavy and bulky product in your hands is quite a challenge.

With a machined cone

If you can’t find a ball of the right size, but you know a lathe or you can work with metal, you can grind a cone that will replace the ball.

The weather vane assembly scheme itself remains the same: we attach the body to the upper pipe, and fix the lower one on a pole, roof ridge, etc.

Final revision

In order for a metal weather vane to serve for a long time and at the same time have a presentable appearance, it must be carefully painted, having first prepared the surface well. To begin with, using sandpaper remove rust completely to bare metal. Then we coat it with automotive primer (you can also use a rust converter). After the primer has dried, you can paint it.

Winged horse - why not decorate your home

We take paints for exterior work. All automobile ones are perfect, but oil-based ones, such as hammer ones, are also suitable. They give an interesting effect. You can also try painting it powder paints, but they require special conditions — heat. Otherwise, the coating will quickly fall off.

After applying the paint, leave the product to dry for two days without touching it with your hands. Such paints take a long time to dry (with the exception of powder paints), and after “testing” stains remain. If you are satisfied with the quality of the painting, you can install the weather vane in place.

Homemade weather vanes of varying complexity: photo reports

When making a wind direction indicator with your own hands, many questions arise. The design is simple, but there are many options. For example, the swivel assembly can be made in different ways, not to mention the shape and size of the housing. Everyone chooses what they like best. In order to form at least a general idea of ​​how you can do this useful for a country house or garden plot device, here are some examples homemade weather vanes with step by step photos.

Based on a bearing from a VAZ pump

The bearing was taken from an old VAZ. Based on the size of the bearing, pipes were found - one of which this bearing fits into. We install a stopper in this pipe so that the bearing does not fall inside; after installing it, we weld it. From pipes of smaller diameter we make a cross, to which we then attach letters indicating the direction of the cardinal points.

We weld another piece of thin pipe to the top of the bearing. This will be the rotating part, to which the body of the weather vane will then be attached. We weld two short sections of pipe perpendicular to this pin - we will weld the cut weather vane to them. To protect the bearing from moisture and dust, we use the tie rod boot, pulling it tight before we started welding the rotating part.

A cat is cut out of an aluminum sheet 2 mm thick, the letters are made of galvanized steel. We will spray paint them with bright red auto enamel, and the cat with black.

All that remains is to weld/attach all the parts to assemble the weather vane.

A homemade metal weather vane on a bearing is ready. Can be installed on the roof.

The simplest weather vane in 5 minutes from scrap materials

When hunting, fishing or gardening, you may need a wind direction indicator. You can make a very simple model literally from nothing. You will need:

  • plastic or paper glass (preferably large capacity);
  • thick wire (you can use aluminum or steel);
  • plastic screed;
  • a washer with an internal diameter not less than the diameter of the wire.

The manufacturing process is very simple. First of all, carefully, without damaging the walls, remove the bottom. You can remove it from a paper cup, but you will have to cut it off from a plastic cup. Next, stepping back from the wider edge about a centimeter, we make two holes in the walls, located one opposite the other, and thread the wire. We bend one edge of the wire so that the wind indicator does not fall off.

We make a weather vane with our own hands from scrap materials

From the opposite side - from below - we put a washer on the wire, raise it to the level of the glass, leaving a very small backlash (a few millimeters). We take the tie, tighten it, fixing the washer at the desired level.

That's all, we made a simple weather vane with our own hands. Of course, it is very short-lived, but long-term service is not always necessary. And it will correctly indicate where the wind is blowing.

Video on the topic

Photos of weather vanes and ideas for sketches

The most common themes for making a weather vane are a cat, a rooster, an eagle, and a ship. They are the most common. There are many options and variations. But there is very non-standard ideas. Perhaps, looking at them, you want something original.

You can attach a weather vane not only to a ridge or a pole - you can install it on a pipe

Stork - to happiness and wealth

Favorite hobby: fisherman can be seen from afar

Wooden weather vane - you can also make it yourself


Since ancient times, humanity has used a weather vane to determine the direction and speed of the wind. This can be a simple device in the form of a flag attached to a high pole, or a more complex device with a rotating tube and an arrow that determines the force of moving air masses. The rotation of the weather vane occurs due to air pressure on the flag, which tends to take the optimal position. At this time, the counterweight points in the direction from which the wind blew. Often the device is equipped with bearings indicating the cardinal directions, which are used to navigate during observations.

How to make a weather vane with your own hands. Photo

You can make your own weather vane from wood and metal, plastic and tin, and its appearance can be a real work of art. The city halls of many European cities are decorated with beautiful, unique weather vanes in the form of birds and animals, buildings and ships, fairy tale characters etc. Thanks to the original appearance and simple, functional design, the devices have gained immense popularity among owners country houses, where they are, for the most part, just decoration.

The main stages of making a weather vane

To make a weather vane with your own hands, first of all, prepare a reduced version of it sketch on graph paper or other marked paper, or a life-size template of your favorite figure. In addition, you will need the following materials and tools:

  • metal sheet 1.5 - 2 mm thick;
  • wire with a diameter of 3 mm;
  • steel pipes with a diameter of 15 mm, 22.5 mm, 25 mm;
  • copper tube Ø18 mm;
  • 50 mm piece of pipe Ø 60 mm;
  • square rolled metal 15x15 mm;
  • steel ball Ø 80 mm;
  • ball from a ball bearing Ø 15 mm;
  • round metal Ø 12 mm;
  • metal plate 60x60 mm, thickness 12 mm;
  • angle grinder (angle grinder, grinder);
  • jigsaw;
  • hammer;
  • chisel;
  • set of files;
  • electric drill and set of metal drills;
  • welding machine.

Below we will talk about how to make a weather vane with your own hands. Using our instructions and drawings, all the work can be done in one day. Photographs of individual stages, as well as videos, will help you correctly interpret our recommendations.

The process of making a weather vane with your own hands can be divided into several stages:

  • preparatory activities;
  • cutting out figures;
  • arrow preparation;
  • manufacturing of the rotation mechanism.

When working with metal, it is important not to forget about safety precautions. Welding work must be carried out in a ventilated area, away from fuels and lubricants. In this case, it is important to use special gloves and a protective shield, and choose clothes from natural fabric of sufficient thickness.

Weathervane drawings

As an example, we suggest using sketches and drawings of a weather vane in the form of very popular figures in our country. rooster or cat. The dimensional grid allows you to transfer the image to a metal sheet, enlarging it to the required size.

Weather vane stencils. Photo

The drawing shows the dimensions of the rotating unit of the weather vane and the arrow by which the wind direction will be determined.

Weather vane drawings. Photo

Step-by-step instructions for making a weather vane

At the first stage, a cat figure is cut out of a metal sheet with a pre-applied outline. The steel workpiece must be secured to prevent it from moving. It's best to take advantage metalwork clamps, with which the metal sheet is attached to the workbench.

Making a weather vane with your own hands. Photo

You can remove burrs along the edge of a part using a grinder with an installed grinding all around.

In hard-to-reach places, treatment is carried out using a wide, thin file.

Having firmly secured the metal figure to the workbench, use a drill with a drill bit Ø 12-15 mm make holes for the nose, mustache and eyes.

Making a weather vane with your own hands. Photo instructions

The characteristic oval shape of cat's eyes is obtained by widening drilled holes semicircular file m and needle file.

3mm steel wire cut into pieces measuring about 100 - 120 mm, after which 10 - 20 mm are retreated from the edge of each part and an L-shaped bend is made. In this way, blanks for the mustache are obtained.

A cat's nose can be made from round rolled metal diameter up to 20 mm. The edge of the rod is rounded using the same angle grinder.

To imitate the shape and structural features of a cat's nose, chisel characteristic dents are made on the workpiece.

A prepared fragment about 5 mm thick is cut from the workpiece, obtaining a part of the desired size.

The nose is installed using welding machine. After this, the mustache is inserted into the prepared holes from the front side and welded from the back.

After welding work be sure to treat the seams grinder until a flat, smooth surface is obtained.

DIY weather vane. Photo instructions

The same instructions will be useful for those who decide to make a weather vane in the shape of a rooster with their own hands.

As the base of the boom, two pieces of a square rod with a cross section of 15x15 mm are used. In this case, the plumage is welded to one fragment, and a tip-shaped part is welded to the other. Welding joints are carefully cleaned.

To make swivel unit, drill holes with a Ø 13 mm drill in its cover and steel ball.

The cover is welded to a 50 mm piece of pipe with a diameter of 60 mm.

On two opposite sides of the steel sphere they make the so-called flats- recesses for a clear fit of the ends of the arrow. A rod with a spherical element is welded to the base of the turning unit.

After both parts of the arrow are attached to the ball, proceed to fastening weather vane. To join the figurine with a spherical element, a semicircular fragment is cut out at its base, after which the parts are connected by welding. To avoid splashes of molten metal on the figurine, it is covered with a sheet of tin. It is very important to correctly orient the parts - the angle between the arrow and rotating mechanism should be exactly 90°.

Sustainability The shape of the cat is determined by the attachment points - its front paws are welded to a steel sphere, and its hind paws touch the base of the pointer.

To ensure that the structure can rotate freely, these parts are used. As support element a piece of round rod has been selected.

Support rod must fit tightly into the pipe, after which the edges of the parts are scalded.

Ball, which is needed for easy rotation of the structure, is lubricated with any grease and inserted into a wide pipe, after which a copper or brass tube is installed into it.

After assembling the weather vane turntable with your own hands, the design paint And install on the roof.

Video of making a weather vane with your own hands

The videos presented below will give the most complete picture of all the stages of making a weather vane with your own hands. You can use the video instructions for assembling a simple structure, or start building a windsock with a generator and lighting. In any case, a product made carefully and with soul will delight the owner and his family members for many years, pointing in the direction of the wind.

Types of weather vanes

The popular belief that if you meet a chimney sweep on the street, you will have good luck all day long, is reflected in weather vanes with the contours of this character. Today such a meeting is almost impossible, so attract good luck you can bring it into your home by installing a chimney sweep figurine with a windsock on the roof.

A cottage with numerous turrets and passages can be decorated a series of weather vanes, which are easy to do with your own hands. Stylized images of figures from the Russian ethnic group will perfectly complement the roofs of buildings made according to folk motifs.

Cat has long been considered a guardian of the house and its protector from dark forces. By placing a weather vane in the shape of a mustachioed purr on the roof, you can create an aura of kindness and tranquility around your home.

Being a symbol of Heaven and Sun, eagle embodies strength and power, speed and greatness. A weather vane installed above the house in the form of this proud bird can indicate the independence of the owner, show his social status and high social position.

Weather vane in shape horse Suitable for purposeful people with an active lifestyle. Those who are guided by prudence and nobility in their lives will be able to express this to others by using this simple and elegant solution.

Griffin, installed on the roof, may indicate the internal struggle of its owner with light and shadow, about fluctuations between good and evil. In addition, a half-lion-half-eagle figurine can speak of the strength, warlikeness and vigilance of the owner, as well as protect the house from evil forces.

Weather vane in shape Old Russian rook will be in harmony with big house with many windows, doors and stairs. By installing such a figure, the owner of the household will be able to announce to others about his remarkable mental abilities and the desire for new knowledge.

Traditionally owl is a symbol of wisdom and patience, so a person who decides to install such a weather vane should think about how much his self-awareness corresponds to the chosen image. And even if everything turns out to be very difficult in this regard, a personal owl on the roof can give an impetus to self-improvement.

Religious motifs are not found on weather vanes very often, therefore, when deciding to make a weather vane based on the Bible or the Koran with your own hands, think about what you want to convey to others with such a decision. As a last resort, choose some heroic figure, for example, St. George the Victorious slaying the serpent.

Ship flying across the sky in full sail - what could be more beautiful and romantic? Having decided to make such a weather vane with your own hands, you need to remember the complexity of such work and the need for accurate calculations.

Remembering old fairy tales, you can find that, despite the negative image, Baba Yaga has always been a positive character. Note that this fabulous figure is great solution not only from an aesthetic standpoint, but also from a constructive point of view. The broom with which the witch is depicted is an ideal windsock.

Often a weather vane with Baba Yaga is also decorated with a figurine Black Cat- her indispensable companion and adviser. The beauty and originality of such a composition will attract admiring glances not only from children, but also from adults.

Of course everyone has seen and knows what it is vane. There are especially many of them on buildings in the Baltic States, Scandinavia and the Netherlands, where the weather vane is, one might say, part of the unique landscape and business card cities - Riga, Tallinn, Amsterdam, Leiden and others. Few people know that not so long ago a weather vane was one of the most necessary attributes - only with its help could one determine the speed and strength of the wind. Therefore, it is so common in countries with access to the sea, as well as where navigation was developed in the Middle Ages.
Now, weather vane on the roof, mostly a toy, a tribute to tradition. But the house on which it stands, for example, weather vane, made with your own hands looks very original and unusual. You can make a weather vane with your own hands or order it from a craftsman. For this you will need structural sheet steel, but if you are lucky enough to get sheet copper, it will be perfect option, because making a weather vane from copper assumes that it will delight with its unusual appearance not only you, but also your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, because copper is not susceptible to atmospheric corrosion.
You can make a weather vane with your own hands if you have some plumbing skills, and if you don’t have them, but still have the desire to make a weather vane with your own hands, go to the appropriate service on the Internet and look at the technology and design options. It should be noted, that a weather vane for a chimney made by yourself, will also perform the function of protecting the chimney from blowing wind.

DIY rooster weather vane

Now about the details of the process. How to make a weather vane with our own hands, we decided to look on the Internet, very important point- how the weather vane is attached to the chimney or another location. This is done using special strips - spacers, and it is better to do this on the pipe cap, because strong wind puts a very large load on the fastening site.
Before you start making a weather vane with your own hands, familiarize yourself with the list of tools required in this case. You may need to buy something or borrow something from your neighbors. But I must say, looking through articles on the topic " how to make a weather vane with your own hands from metal"You can note that technology uses tools that are found in every home.
On the pages of this article it is impossible to describe all the intricacies of the process and the question “how to make a weather vane?” This is a complex issue, where there are nuances and subtleties, and at least initial experience is required. Having studied the information on the Internet, you may not immediately get what you have in mind, but, as you know, no theory can replace experience, try and you will succeed.
Now about the details of the process. How make a weather vane, this is a very important point - how the weather vane is attached to the chimney or other location. This is done using special strips - spacers, and it is better to do this on the pipe cap, because strong winds place a very large load on the fastening site.

Before you start making a weather vane with your own hands, you can look at the drawings and get acquainted with the list of tools necessary in this case. You may need to buy something or borrow something from your neighbors. But it must be said that in making a weather vane you independently use tools that are in every home.
On the pages of this article it is impossible to describe all the subtleties of the process and the question “how to make a weather vane yourself?” This is a complex issue, where there are nuances and subtleties, and at least initial experience is required. Having studied the information on the Internet, you may not immediately get what you have in mind, but, as you know, no theory can replace experience, try it DIY weather vanes and you will succeed.

How to make weather vanes
For those who would like to do DIY weather vane immediately, without wasting time searching the Internet weather vane toys moved by the wind, I'll give you detailed description process on how to make a weather vane, which can be created in a home workshop. I would like to make a reservation right away that making a weather vane will require welding or serious soldering with brass or zirconium solder. Of course, welding is better, and you will also need some minor turning work, but if you have emery in the house, you can get by with it. True, in any auto repair shop, which is now on every corner, they will help you make a weather vane literally for pennies.
So, let's start making a weather vane with our own hands. You can make a drawing of a weather vane, or you can make a weather vane for your home without having weather vane drawing, according to descriptions and drawings. Everyone would like to know how to make a rotary weather vane without having weather vane drawings. The most important component of a weather vane is the body and axis. It is the design of this unit that will determine how sensitively the weather vane will react to the slightest breath of wind. If you make a weather vane yourself using a drawing of the body, of course, it is advisable to have it, but not necessary. The best option If the axis of the weather vane rotates on ball bearings with a closed housing, they do not require regular lubrication and are not afraid of moisture. We will start from the diameter of the weather vane axis; its diameter should provide sufficient resistance to radial loads, which will be quite decent during gusts of wind. You need to select a steel wire or rod with a diameter of at least 10 mm and a length of approximately 400 - 450 mm. This diameter will be required to make it possible to select the desired bearing. As an option, I can suggest using a radial ball bearing No. 1000099 according to GOST, but you can use what you have or what you can find on the nearest iron market. Bearing No. 1000099 has the following characteristics: inner ring diameter - 9mm, outer ring diameter - 20mm. Thus, we need a housing into which we could drive a bearing with a diameter of 20mm. For such a housing, a piece of ¾-inch pipe 120 - 130 mm long is suitable. On the top of the pipe we cut pipe thread, onto which we will screw the lid. We hammer our bearing into the lower part, which should fit with interference. It may happen that there will be no interference, in this case, using a powerful soldering iron (at least 100 W) and soldering acid, we need to weld a layer of tin onto the outer ring, due to this layer we will obtain the interference we need.
Let's go further and comprehend the question, how to make a weather vane correctly. We already have the body, now we need to work on the axis on which we will mount the figure. Since we have selected a rod with a diameter of 10 mm, and the diameter of the inner ring where the axle will rest is 9 mm, the end of the rod must be machined to a diameter of 9 mm, this is best done on a machine, but you can also use emery, removing layers of metal little by little and checking with a caliper or trying on
axle to bearing. The next step is when you do weather vanes, how to make- housing cover, protective cap and cardinal indicators. The housing cover can be made from a blank plug for a ¾ pipe, such plugs are sold on any market, then a hole with a diameter of 10 mm is drilled in it and rods with a diameter of 6 mm and a length of 200 mm are welded to its sides, crosswise, you can make a radius in the middle of the rod along the diameter of the pipe , it will be more beautiful. Latin letters are attached to the ends of the rods by soldering or welding, which will indicate the cardinal directions: W, N, S, E. They are cut from sheet steel with a thickness of 0.8 - 1 mm. The size of the letters depends on the height at which we will place them. vane(to be clearly visible), in my opinion, sizes 70x70 should be enough.
We screw the cover onto the body and insert the axle into it until it stops in the bearing, try how freely it rotates, if everything is in order with the rotation, you need to weld a cap with a diameter of about 40/50 mm right above the cover so that less water gets into the body. The cap can be cut from sheet steel, which you used in the manufacture of letters - cardinal directions. We measure up about another 250 mm from the cap and cut off the excess from the axis, although it is better to do this locally in each specific case.
Let's get to the most interesting part - a stylized figure that is attached to the axis of the weather vane and
defines his whole appearance. Usually this is a cock weather vane, by popular belief DIY rooster weather vane manufactured acts as a talisman for the house against evil spirits. The best material for the figure there will be sheet copper 0.8 - 1 mm thick, but you are unlikely to find it now, so we make the cockerel from sheet steel 0.8 - 1 mm, you will have to draw the picture yourself or search on the Internet weather vanes inpictures. The dimensions of the figure in plan should be approximately 500x300 mm and the entire figure should be elongated in the horizontal plane in order to have the appropriate windage, you can use examples as a guide weather vane photo posted on the network. Let's do weather vane pictures figures on paper, then glue it onto a sheet of metal and, using metal scissors, a small chisel and a file, cut out and bring the figure to the shape we need. There are two options for attaching it to the axle. Can be heated blowtorch or in the fire the end of the axle and flatten it on an anvil to a width of 15 mm. Then drill holes in it with a diameter of 4 - 5 mm, lean the figure as it will stand in the working position, and mark the corresponding holes. Then it’s a matter of technique - we fasten the cockerel with rivets or screws with nuts. The easiest way is to grab a figurine weather vanes welding
Little things left. Install weather vane on the roof and orient vane to the cardinal points. Before you install weather vane on the house, you need to stuff it into the body grease(just in case) - solid oil or lithol. There are many mounting options, you can install DIY chimney weather vane. From the same sheet steel 0.8 - 1 mm we cut 4 strips 25 mm wide and 300 - 350 mm long. We bend them at an angle of 90 degrees, you can cut them in half, 200 mm on one side, and 100 - 150 mm on the other. Using self-tapping screws, we attach them crosswise to the body, but first we need to link the ridge, the location of the strips and the location of the cardinal points to each other. The cardinal directions can be determined by sunrise, the polar star or a compass. In the bent part of the strip, two holes with a diameter of 4 - 5 mm are also drilled, through which the entire structure is attached to the ridge using long pins or bolts, which must be passed through the ridge and secured inside roofs with bolts, washers and nuts.
Material support to make a weather vane with your own hands.
You will need the following tools: drill (manual or electric), ruler, scriber, metal scissors, drills with a diameter of 3.3; 4; 5; 9 or 10 mm, files, emery, soldering iron, welding, lathe, hammer, anvil.

What can a weather vane be made from?
Materials: rod with a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 450 mm, a ball bearing, a pipe ¾ 120/130 mm long, a rod with a diameter of 6 mm and a length of 1 meter, a plug ¾, sheet steel 0.8 -1 mm thick, dimensions 0.5x0.5 meters (approximately), solid oil or litol, M5/M4 bolts, M5/M4 nuts, self-tapping screws, rivets with a diameter of 4/5 mm.

Today, a weather vane mounted on a roof is more a tribute to tradition than a practical device. In order to make it you need to have minimal metalworking skills.

You can decorate your house, always be aware of the direction of the wind and surprise your neighbors if you make a weather vane with your own hands. For this, it is advisable to use sheet copper. The main elements that make up the product are the body and the axle. The weather vane is driven by the force of the wind.

Why do you need a weather vane?

The main purpose of a weather vane is to report the direction of the wind. However, it is believed that the rooster-shaped device can serve as a talisman for the home. According to Feng Shui, weather vanes help establish good relationships with neighbors.

If you decide to attach the product to your roof, the first thing you should do is make drawings of the propeller. Its presence on the weather vane will allow you to assess the strength of the wind. However, it is worth taking into account the fact that vibration may occur from it through the structures. Most often the product is used to decorate the roofs of various buildings located on summer cottage. Such an element will become a harmonious addition.

Work order

  • First you need to build a support. Take a pipe. A piece equal to 12.5 cm is cut from it. The diameter should be about 1.3 cm. A thread must be made in the upper part of the pipe so that a lid can be put on it.
  • A bearing is placed inside the pipe. It is important that it fits correctly.

  • The weather vane on the roof must be installed firmly. For this, it is recommended to use steel strips. They are mounted to the side of the device, but so that the rotation of the product occurs without interference.
  • Particular attention is paid to the housing cover. It will not be difficult to make it from steel, the main thing is that it fits perfectly into the pipe thread.
  • A similar product has a wind rose. Often it looks like thin steel sticks with letters attached to them, indicating the cardinal directions.
  • To prevent moisture from entering the housing, a cap is mounted on top.

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Features of roof mounting

It’s not enough to make a weather vane with your own hands; you need to correctly install it on the roof. First, the body is filled with lithol or grease. Then, according to the compass, the direction of the wind rose is adjusted to the cardinal points.

There are several mounting methods:

  • on the chimney cap using metal strips;
  • welding a round flange to the end of the body;
  • installation using clamps or flat plates.

It is quite simple to understand that everything is done correctly - the product should rotate freely around its axis even in light winds. In this case, you can install a vertical plate on the weather vane, its deviation will show you the strength of the wind. After you have installed the weather vane with your own hands, you can also install a lightning rod. Fasten one end of the steel wire to the product, and ground the other one and a half meters.

Now you know how to make a weather vane. To ensure that the device does not fail for a long time, the bearings must be lubricated at least once a year.

Weather vane as a decorative element

The most popular decorative shape of the product is a rooster. But this does not mean that you should stop at this option. At the moment you can find drawings for products completely different forms. For example, nothing prevents you from making a product in the form of characters from fairy tales, insects, zodiac signs, an airplane, a ship or animals.

You can add any dynamic elements to the weather vane design. This could be the figure of a horse that moves from a pecking bird or from a propeller. This delicacy will be appreciated by all the neighbors in the area.

Moving parts will be visible on low buildings. They are great at scaring away birds. You can install weather vanes of this type in garages and greenhouses. The product will decorate.

Materials

Now it’s clear to you how to make a weather vane with your own hands, but the question remains about what the product can be made from. As a rule, copper or steel is preferred. At the same time, the outside of the finished device is coated with paint. It is rare to find forged products. But in fact, you can make a weather vane from scrap materials.

So, the material can be CDs, plastic bottles, tin and moisture-resistant plywood. If you prefer wood, it is worth remembering that when connecting parts you do not need to fasten them tightly. Otherwise, the dynamics will be disrupted.









The simplest weather vane model (video)

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