Do-it-yourself beautiful weather vane: interesting solutions. How to make a weather vane with your own hands. Step-by-step instructions with a photo Make a rooster out of metal with your own hands

When decorating a house, many owners strive to give their possessions an emphasized individuality. For this, various techniques are used - the original facade decoration, the unusual shape of the roof, with pronounced decorative qualities, and more. Do not forget about other design elements, including those that have long been traditional in some countries, but for some time have been undeservedly out of fashion. Nowadays, many decorative exterior details are making a comeback, and one of them is the roof weather vane.

Agree that with such a detail the external appearance of the building acquires a completely different "sound", so there are more and more people who want to decorate their roof with a weather vane. But where can I get it? - look for a finished product in stores or go through the ads of masters in the hope of finding a quality product at an affordable price? Neither one nor the other - if you wish, it is quite possible to make a weather vane with your own hands, choosing a suitable material for its manufacture. And this role can be played by metal of different thicknesses, wood, or even ordinary plastic bottles.

In this article, we will look at several options for making such a roof decoration yourself. However, first you need to figure out what weather vane is, what they are used for, and also what types of these devices are most often used.

Purpose and basic device of the weather vane

What is a weather vane

A weather vane is a device that in domestic use is designed to perform several functions, which are usually combined in one model. Moreover, "options" have both decorative and applied meaning.

• The first, and as many believe, the main one is the meteorological function - it consists in visual demonstration and even in quantitative measurement of the direction and strength of the wind.
• The second, and no less important function, can be considered the use of weather vane to protect the chimney from wind blowing into it, which prevents smoke from the premises.
• A somewhat unusual function - a propeller mounted on a weather vane and rotating under the influence of the wind creates peculiar vibrations that scare away rodents from the house, and shrews and moles from the garden area. If the weather vane is intended for this purpose, then it is not installed on the roof, but in the middle of a vegetable garden or garden. However, in this case, to install it, you need to choose an open area on a hill, since there the propeller will capture more wind.
• Finally, the weather vane is used as a purely decorative element to decorate the roof of a building.

Weathervans served as traditional elements for decorating roofs and are in the countries of Eastern and Northern Europe, in particular - they are very characteristic of the Baltic architecture. Therefore, in those parts of the world, almost every private house is equipped with this device, and the owners of buildings always try to choose an original version that cannot be found elsewhere.

What are the main parts of a conventional weather vane

The weather vane design includes several basic elements:

• The flag (item 1), which, due to its windage, turns under the force of the wind, standing parallel to it and thereby indicating its direction. The flag can be in the form of an ordinary simple geometric figure or artistic performance, thanks to which it becomes the main decorative element of the weather vane.
• The flag is located on one of the ends of the boom (item 2), and if the weather vane works correctly, it should be located on the side where the wind is blowing. The arrow is not an obligatory element of the design, since sometimes the flag figure is fixed directly on a vertically installed rod - an axis.
• Counterweight (item 3) located opposite the flag. However, this element is also not always used in the design, since sometimes the flag itself balances the arrow. If it is necessary to install the counterweight, then its weight should be slightly greater than the mass of the figure - then it will help to return the weather vane to its original position.
• A vertical axis (pos. 4), fixed in the body and equipped with bearings in a special block (pos. 5), or simply inserted into a pipe of a larger diameter (pos. 6). In the second case, the bottom axis usually rests on a metal ball. Bearings or a ball provide an easy rotation of the axis along with the flag.
• A cap, which often centers the axle on top in the body of the swivel mechanism and protects the latter from rain and melt water getting inside.
• Modern weather vane is often equipped with an electronic device - rotation angle sensors or encoders, which record the readings of the mechanical part of the device.

• On some models of weather vane, a metal plate is installed, suspended on a horizontal axis and located in a free position, swaying under the influence of the wind. The angle of deviation of this structural element from the vertical indicates the strength of the wind. This plate can be replaced with a lightweight propeller. Such designs, which combine the function of demonstrating the direction of the wind and an anemometer (measuring the speed of the air flow), are called Wild weather vane, after the name of the developer - a famous meteorologist of the 19th century, who worked for a long time at the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Quite often, on the lower, fixed part of the weather vane, rumba with letter designations of the cardinal points are fixed. This makes it easier to navigate with the direction of the wind. But one nuance should be correctly understood. In meteorology, it is customary to call the wind in the direction from which it blows. The weather vane is organized according to the same principle - the flag will be on the leeward side, and the arrow will show the direction from which the wind is blowing. In particular, according to the weather vane shown in the illustration above, it can be judged that the wind direction is west-north-west (WNW).

A few words about the symbolism of weather vane flags

Silhouette figures for flags, chosen for the manufacture of weather vane, were previously made for a reason - they served as various symbols and a kind of amulets. For example, according to the Chinese teachings of Feng Shui, fixing a weather vane on the roof of a house helps to establish good relationships with neighbors.

Basically, figurines of various animals and birds are chosen for the weather vane of a residential building.

• The rooster is a sign of vigilance. It is especially widespread in Russia, and according to popular belief, it scares away evil spirits well, since it is a symbol of the Apostle Peter.
• The cat symbolizes home comfort.
• The owl has always been a totem of wisdom.
• Leo is power and strength.
• The eagle already by its appearance protects the home from enemies.
• The stork is a sign of family happiness and mutual understanding.
• The Dragon. Weathervans with this mythological animal are most often found in Asian countries, since in the local culture it personifies wisdom and spiritual strength.

In addition to animals, on the flags of weather vane you can also see other real or fairy-tale characters:

• A chimney sweep usually brings good luck to the house.
• George the Victorious is a traditional defender of the house from various negativity.
• Baba Yaga, oddly enough, is also the protector of housing from evil spirits.

When choosing this or that figure for making a weather vane, it is advisable to inquire about what it means, since not all images bring positive emotions into the house.

It is not at all necessary to adhere to some canons, focusing on Russian or Eastern culture. Nobody forbids simply choosing the picture you like and making a flag of a weather vane using it. The main thing is that the image is positive or even funny.

You can also add that earlier, above the workshops or trading shops, their owners installed weather vane with images that indicated the type of activity:

• The shoemaker had a boot on his weather vane.
• The baker chose the pretzel image.
• The hairdresser used a scissor flag to mark his workshop.

Passers-by could see from afar where the shop was located, guided by the figures of the weather vane. So street advertising has very ancient roots.

How to make a weather vane with your own hands

Materials for making a weather vane

So, we figured out what the weather vane can be intended for, and what basic elements its design consists of. Now the question arises as to what material they can be made of.

The flag is usually made of metal - sheet steel or copper, but sometimes wood is also used for this purpose. However, today craftsmen make the outer part of the weather vane from scrap materials, such as used plastic bottles or old unnecessary CDs.

Previously, flags for this device were often made from steel bars using the forging technique. Even today, some craftsmen also make weather vane in a similar way, but such products are quite heavy and are very expensive. Therefore, not every budget will pull a forged product, and besides, in order to place it on the roof, you will have to provide for reinforced fastening, since under its weight, multiplied by wind pressure, the weather vane can collapse down.

Metal and wooden flags must be covered with moisture-resistant paint, which will protect their surfaces from external destructive influences - moisture, ultraviolet radiation, biological damage, abrasive wind.

The specificity of the axis and the pivot block of the device leads to the conclusion that they must be made exclusively of metal, otherwise the weather vane will not work properly - it will start to jam or, conversely, dangle, and the non-metallic axis will quickly wear out and become unusable.

Weather vane prices

Tools for work

To make a weather vane structure with your own hands, you will need to prepare some tools. Moreover, for a metal product and a wooden one, they will be different, that is, their set primarily determines the choice of material. However, given that the unit for setting and rotating the axis of the device will in any case be made of metal, even if the flag is planned to be made of wood, some metal tools will still be required. If it is not possible or there is no experience in metal processing, then the mechanism itself, thanks to which the weather vane rotates, can be ordered from a qualified craftsman, and then you can independently attach the flag to it.

So, the following tools are required to work:

• Jigsaw with nozzle files for wood or metal - this device is necessary for cutting a flag and other elements of the outer part of the structure.
• Electric drill and drill set.
• A hammer.
• Powerful soldering iron.
• Clamps.
• Vice.
• Nippers and pliers.
• Angle grinder and hand files of various sizes - for processing metal flag edges.
• Sandpaper.
• When making complex structural parts, you may need an anvil, a lathe and

Flag stencil

Even before purchasing the material, it is probably necessary to decide on the choice of a figure that will be located on the weather vane as a flag, and choose the right stencil for this. If there is no experience in cutting out complex small details of a flag from plywood or metal, then it is better to choose a simple drawing, without intricate bends. But still, decorative weather vane looks much more attractive, so it makes sense to try.

This contour drawing has some difficulties and requires a certain skill and a lot of time when cutting it out. Therefore, choosing this option, you need to soberly assess your capabilities.

This stencil of the flag of the weather vane, despite its bulkiness, is easier to transfer to metal or plywood, as well as to cut it out, since it provides for the removal of large parts of the pattern and has a minimum of small curved elements and complex bends.

You can make a stencil yourself, first on a regular album sheet, and then draw it in the natural size of the flag. It is convenient to do the transfer in squares, breaking a small drawing into them. When making a drawing, you need to take into account that it will then have to be cut out with a jigsaw, so all its lines and edges of the bends should be clear.

The finished stencil, made in full size of the future flag, is placed on a sheet of metal or plywood, and with the help of a simple pencil they outline the drawing, highlighting the cutting lines.

The optimal parameters of the flag for a weather vane can vary from 300 to 500 mm, since if you make it larger, the body of the structure will have to be strengthened, otherwise it will break under the influence of gusts of wind.

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The process of making a weather vane - step by step

Whichever figurine is chosen for the flag of the weather vane, the principle of making this device is the same.

The main nodes of the rotary structure are its axis and body, which directly affect how the flag will react to the wind. The best option would be to install bearings on the axle and close this part of the device with a housing. The bearings do not require permanent lubrication, since in a closed housing they will not come into contact with moisture.

The axle itself must have a diameter of at least 10 mm, which will ensure a stable position above the fixed structure in gusts of strong wind.

In the body, it is necessary to provide for fastenings to the element of the roof structure where the weather vane is supposed to be installed.

It is very important to observe all proportions when planning and manufacturing a product, therefore, having drawn up a drawing, it is recommended, if possible, to show it to specialists who are able to assess the correctness of the project. It is possible that they will help with advice on how best to make some details for him.

As an example, we will consider the manufacture of a weather vane with a flag in the form of a cute cat figurine, which is quite simple to execute, since it has smooth, curved lines.

For work, you will need to prepare the following materials:

• Steel sheet 2.5 ÷ 3 mm thick.
• Steel pipes with a diameter of 15 and 22.5, as well as a piece of pipe 50 mm long and 60 mm in diameter.
• Steel wire with a diameter of 3 mm.
• Copper pipe with a diameter of 15 mm with a wall thickness of 1.5 mm, a length of 367 mm.
• A hollow steel ball with a diameter of 80 mm and a solid metal or glass ball with a diameter of 15 mm.
• A square bar with a cross section of 15 × 15 mm.
• Square tube 25 × 25 mm, wall thickness 2 mm, length 120 mm.
• Steel rod with a diameter of 12 mm.
• Steel plate with a thickness of 3 and a size of 60 × 60 mm.

Having prepared everything you need, you can start work, which is divided into several stages:

• Preparatory work.
• Transferring the outline of the drawing to a metal sheet.
• Cutting out a shape.
• Making an arrow for placing a flag.
• Manufacturing of the rotation mechanism.

The above drawing shows the parameters of the arrow and the pivoting mechanism of the weather vane, suitable for the dimensions of the flag, the manufacture of which will be described below.

The stages of making a weather vane, after drawing a pattern on a metal sheet through a stencil, are shown in the table:

Illustration	Brief description of the performed operation
	After the outline of the flag figure is transferred to a sheet of metal 2.5 ÷ 3 mm thick, they begin to cut it out. So that when performing this work, the metal plate does not move, and the cut does not go to the side, it must be rigidly fixed in one position, for example, with the help of clamps. The work is carried out on a metal table, and the plate is fixed with an overhang. Having cut one edge of the figure, the clamps are loosened, the plate is installed in them with the other side and the next line is cut. This happens until the entire figure is cut along the contour.
	In the next step, the edges of the resulting shape must be aligned and rounded a little, removing the burrs. This stage of work is carried out with a grinder (grinder) with a grinding wheel installed on it. In this process, the figure is also rigidly attached to the table with clamps.
	In places where it is impossible to reach with a grinding wheel, work is done manually with a file of the correct size. The figurine is turned and fixed so that the treated area hangs off the table.
	Small holes, for example, animal eyes or blanks for inserting other elements, in this case, the nose and whiskers of a cat, are drilled with an electric drill. If a hand tool is used, then the figure should also be fixed to the table, but it is more convenient to carry out this process on a stationary drilling machine. The drill is matched to the hole diameter. In this case, the master used drills with a diameter of 12 ÷ 15 mm.
	Further, drilled holes that will not be used for inserting other elements must be well cleaned with files. First, their edges are processed with a tool with a large notch, and then with a small one, since their edges should be perfectly even and smooth. If it is necessary to expand or give an elongated shape to round holes, use a file or file with a width of 5 ÷ 7 mm and a thickness of 2 ÷ 2.5 mm.
	If the shape of the flag according to the project has protruding elements, as in this case - the mustache and nose of a cat, then they are made from steel wire with a diameter of 3 mm and from a steel rod with a diameter of 12 mm. The wire for the future mustache is cut with wire cutters into lengths of 110 ÷ 120 mm, then a distance of 15 ÷ 20 mm is measured from one of their sides, and with the help of pliers, this part is folded so that the workpiece has an L-shape.
	The nose is made of a steel bar, the edge of which is sanded to a semicircular shape. To make it easier to work, the rod is rigidly clamped in a vice. Having shaped the edge and sanded it to smoothness, three stripes are cut into it with a chisel, which will make this detail look like a cat's nose.
	After that, 4 ÷ 5 mm is measured from the prepared edge, not counting the rounded part, and along this line the workpiece is cut off from the rod. You need to cut the bar as evenly as possible, otherwise, when you put it in place, it may get crooked. The cut is made with a metal cut-off wheel mounted on a grinder. In this case, the rod must be clamped in a vice, but this time, setting it horizontally.
	The next step is to secure the nose and whiskers on the face of the cat figurine. Fixation of parts is carried out using a semiautomatic welding machine, spot welding. First, the prepared L-shaped mustache blanks are inserted into the previously drilled holes from the front side of the figure, hooking with the bent side. Then, they are fanned out, as intended by the project, held with pliers and welded from the inside out. The nose piece is inserted from the front of the figurine into a wide hole drilled between the whiskers, and then it is also back-welded.
	After the welding work is completed, the parts of the welded parts protruding from the seamy side must be carefully cut off, and then grinded to smoothness.
	The finished figurine is temporarily set aside, and they proceed to making the arrow on which this flag will be fixed. First, its tip is made. For this, a plate of 60 × 60 mm is taken and a pattern is applied to it, in accordance with the dimensions indicated in the above drawing. After that, the plate is fixed with a clamp to the table, leaving part of it with the drawn part on the overhang. Then the tip is cut out with a jigsaw, setting a metal file into it. Shank elements are immediately prepared - its dimensions are also indicated in the drawing. Two elements of this part are cut out - from metal 3 mm thick.
	For the manufacture of the base of the arrow, on which the tip and tail will be fixed, a square bar with a section of 15 × 15 mm is used. The base consists of two elements - the tip will be welded to one of them, and the tail will be welded to the second. The section of the bar to which the tail or tail will be welded has a length of 470 mm, and the length intended for the installation of the tip is 290 mm. The bar is cut with a grinder, after fixing it in a vice. Further, as can be seen in the drawing, the bar in the tip welding area is narrowed to 3 mm, that is, to the thickness of the plate from which the tip is made. These cuts are called flats, and are designed to ensure that the two structural members fit well together. Part of the shank bar is also turned at its back. Cutting off the protruding parts is also necessary to create a higher streamlining of the product, that is, so that they do not slow down the weather vane when the wind acts on it.
	Now the tip and two shank parts, after marking their location on the bars prepared for them, are carefully welded to them. Then the weld seams are smoothed out.
	The boom elements are ready, and you can proceed to the manufacture of the stand, on which the arrow and the pivot assembly will be mounted. To begin with, a prepared hollow metal ball with a diameter of 80 mm is taken, on which the previously made figure will be attached. A hole with a diameter of 13 mm is drilled in it. In addition, a cover is cut out of a metal plate 12 mm thick, under which a rotary mechanism will be located, and a hole of the same diameter as in the ball is drilled in it.
	Further, the cut-out cover with a drilled hole is fixed in a vice, a piece of pipe 50 mm high and 60 mm in diameter is installed on it, and from the inside these elements are welded together with a semiautomatic device.
	Further, a steel bar 600 mm long and 12 mm in diameter is taken, fixed in a vice, a ball drilled through is put on its edge and fixed on both sides by welding.
	The next step is to take a piece of square pipe 120 mm long and 25 × 25 mm in cross section and welded to a lid with a hole fixed on the pipe segment. Then, a rod with a ball welded at its end is inserted into the resulting structure, a square pipe joins the ball and carefully scalded.
	The next step on the ball is marking the points to which two parts of the arrow will be welded horizontally, at right angles - one on one side of the ball, the second on the opposite. For the convenience of performing work, at the marked points, you can drill indentations with a diameter corresponding to the dimensions of a square bar. The boom parts inserted into the holes are neatly fixed by welding.
	When the arrow is securely attached to the ball, you can weld the cut-out figurine of a cat flag to it. To carry out the marking, the finished structure is fixed on the table using clamps. Then, the lower part of the figure, in this case, the front paw of the cat, is applied to the ball. A semicircle is drawn on it with a marker, which is then cut out with a jigsaw.
	Then, the flag, cut out part, is applied to the ball and welded. So that when welding, sparks from it do not fall on the flag and do not leave melted spots on it, it is recommended to cover it with a metal sheet. The figurine must be securely fastened to the structure, for this the front leg is welded to the ball, and the rear leg is spot welded to the back of the boom. It turns out that the flag is shifted to the rear of the boom, which is necessary for the correct operation of the weather vane. In this case, a counterweight is not required, the structure is normally balanced.
	After completing the assembly of the upper part of the weather vane, you can proceed to the installation of the lower one, which includes a swivel - a rotating mechanism. In addition to the support rod, which unites the two parts of the weather vane, the following parts will need to be prepared to assemble the lower part of the structure: a copper tube 367 mm long, 15 mm in diameter, a steel tube with an outer diameter of 22.5 mm (1/2 inch), a piece of steel a rod 50 mm long and 15 mm in diameter, as well as a steel or glass ball 15 mm in diameter.
	The hole in the steel tube at the bottom is welded as it must be blind. Then a piece of bar 50 mm long is installed into it, a ball is placed on top of it, then a copper tube goes into which a support rod is inserted, welded in the upper part of the structure. It is recommended to lubricate the ball installed inside the tube with grease - this measure will facilitate the free rotation of the weather vane under the influence of the wind. When the assembly work is completed, the structure must be covered with a special paint for metal, which prevents the appearance and spread of corrosion.
	After the paint has dried, the weather vane is installed in a mount that is installed on the ridge or chimney of the roof. This photo shows a ridge mount, but of course it can be different.

The instructions above can be used to make a weather vane with a different flag. The difference is not fundamental, and lies only in the choice of the stencil and the size of the steel sheet to which the drawing will be transferred.

There are other schemes for making a weather vane, in which elements-indicators of the cardinal points are involved. They can be used with or without an arrow. The distinctive features include the following manufacturing points:

• Instead of a ball, a bearing corresponding to the diameter of the vertical inner rack can be used as a swivel mechanism. For a weather vane, a bearing with an outer diameter of 20 and an inner diameter of 9 mm is well suited, however, it must be borne in mind that it must fit tightly into the body tube. Therefore, for this purpose, the so-called inch reinforced VGP pipe is usually selected, having an outer diameter of 26.8 mm and an inner diameter of 20.4 mm, with a wall thickness of 3.2 mm. The bearing is installed in its lower part. If it enters too freely, then a layer of tin is welded onto the outside of the ring, but this procedure requires a powerful soldering iron.
• Instead of fastening individual parts of the structure with the help, you can use threaded connections, but in this case you need to purchase a pipe with already cut threads or have a special tool - an appropriate die for cutting it or a die.
• If it is supposed to include indicators of the cardinal points in the design, then it is more difficult to do without welding, although a solution can be found here if desired. For the manufacture of this part of the structure, metal rods will be required - they can be round or square. You will also need metal letters N, S, W, E (or in the Russian tradition - C, B, Y, Z), cut from steel sheet 1.5 ÷ 2 mm thick. The size of the letters depends on the height of the building, as they should be clearly visible from below.

The letters are welded to the rods and the rods to the lid. They should be perpendicular to each other, forming four right angles.

• If a metal sheet of 1 ÷ 1.5 mm is chosen for the manufacture of the flag of the weather vane, then it can be cut using metal scissors.

Taking into account the peculiarities of the manufacture of a particular design, additional tools may be required for work.

Installation of a metal weather vane on the roof

In order for the device to work properly, it is not enough to make it with high quality - it is also necessary to correctly install it on the roof, while orienting the scale with the letters fixed on the cross at the cardinal points. You can correctly set the points using a regular compass (now many people even have it in a mobile phone), as well as, for example, by the position of the North Star (north, N) or, with some error, just by sunrise (east, E).

The weather vane can be fixed on the roof in several places and in different ways:

• On the vane (cap) of the chimney using several metal strips for fixing, which are screwed or welded to the base. If you plan to position the weather vane in this way, then installation is carried out before lifting the hood to the roof to the installation site.

• On the ridge, corner or spire of the roof of the building using special fasteners-brackets, which are fixed with self-tapping screws.

• On the wind board of the pediment.

It should be noted here that if the end of a steel wire is fixed to one of the fixed parts of the metal weather vane, and the second, stretching to the ground, is buried one and a half meters into the ground, then the weather vane will become an excellent lightning rod. However, this still requires a professional approach.

It is quite simple to check the work of the weather vane - it should turn even from the influence of a weak wind and take a position parallel to its direction.

For the structure to function properly, it must be kept in good working order by regularly lubricating the bearing or the metal (glass) ball inside with one of the traditional lubricants.

Weather vane from plastic bottles

For those who do not have the opportunity to make a metal weather vane on their own or order an experienced craftsman, but there is still a desire to decorate a country house with this accessory, you can use the material that can be found in every house today - empty plastic bottles. Of course, this option is used more as a decorative element than a functional one, but there is no doubt that it will revive the exterior of the house.

There are many options for decorative weather vane made from plastic bottles. Some of them will be briefly discussed below.

First option

This model of a weather vane can be called the most difficult to manufacture from this "line", since, in addition to bottles, this design will require a bicycle wheel and a tube on which it will be installed. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a support for securing the wheel - this can be, for example, a pole. It is not recommended to install such a weather vane on the roof, since when exposed to wind when rotating, it will emit a certain noise, which is unlikely to please the inhabitants of the house at night.

This version of the weather vane is also called the "Ferris wheel" or "mill", for its external resemblance to these structures. If a suitable place was found for this device at the summer cottage, then for its manufacture you will need:

• A wheel that can be taken from an old child or adult bike.
• An even number of plastic bottles of different sizes and preferably different colors.

To make such a weather vane you don't have to make much effort.

First, using a marker, the wheel is divided into equal sectors, according to these markings, the bottles will be fixed. To fix them, you need to do the following manipulations:

• Holes with a diameter of 3 mm are drilled according to the markings.
• Then, through these holes with the help of self-tapping screws for metal, bottle caps are screwed to the outside of the wheel.
• Further, the main structural elements are being prepared, which will act as blades - plastic bottles. To work on them, you will need a sharp clerical knife. They cut off one edge from large bottles as shown in the photo. Half liter bottles remain intact.
• The next step is to screw the bottles one by one to the caps fixed on the wheel, and so that the slices on the larger bottles are turned in one direction.

The wheel is fixed in such a way that it can move - it can be bent with the letter "G" and a flattened tube, with an external thread at the free end. The tube is fixed on the top of the post using self-tapping screws through the holes drilled in its flattened part. After that, a wheel is put on the edge of the threaded pipe and fixed in such a way that it can turn.

Such a weather vane should be installed in an open space so that the wind, falling into its blades, can set the movement.

Second option

A similar model of a weather vane is called a "spinner", since it revolves around an axis on which it is installed horizontally.

To make this product, you will need one liter or one and a half liter bottle and a metal rod that will act as an axis. A spoke from a bicycle wheel is well suited as an axis, since it has a thread at its end, and if necessary, fix the structure in a certain place, it can be easily bent.

The work on the manufacture of this weather vane will take very little time, and they are carried out in the following order:

• The selected bottle is marked into several sectors (in this case, six) using a marker. There are bottles that already have a relief pattern that will make it possible to do without marking at all.
• Further, at the marked places, peculiar stripes are determined, rounded on the lower side of the container. The stripes should be located in the middle of the bottle as shown in the illustration.
• The next step is to cut the marked stripes around their entire perimeter, except for the top, and then bend them away from the bottle at a right angle. When the spinner is spinning from the wind, the blades will take the optimal position.
• After that, in the lid and in the middle of the bottom of the bottle, holes for the axis are drilled or pierced with a heated awl. They should be slightly larger than the diameter of the rod - only then the bottle will spin freely on it when exposed to the wind.
• The prepared rod is rigidly fixed in the selected place on the wooden base using, for example, metal clamps. The axis should take a horizontal position.
• Then, a bottle with cut out blades is put on the rod and a nut is twisted in the bottom of the rod thread, which will hold the resulting weather vane on the axis when it rotates from the wind.

Both the bottle itself and the bent blades, if desired, can be decorated with insulating colored tape or paint to make the weather vane more picturesque, especially when rotating.

The third option

This version of a decorative weather vane resembles a children's whirligig or a hanging lantern, so the master himself can give it the name.

To make this model, you will need a 2 liter or 1.5 liter bottle and a threaded rod at the ends. If the previous spinner was installed horizontally on the axis, then the “whirligig” is fixed in a vertical position.

The work on the manufacture of this uncomplicated model is simple and is carried out in the following order:

• The plastic bottle must be marked by placing 50 ÷ 100 mm from the top and bottom of it, depending on the shape of the bottle, defining the lines between which vertical cuts will be made.
• Then, from the top to the bottom line, the middle part of the bottle is cut into strips approximately 10 mm wide.
• In the next step, the bottom side of the strips is bent at an angle to one side outward, and the top to the other side, also at an angle. Additionally, in the middle of the strips, you can also make one or two folds in different directions.
• Further, in the center of the bottom part, as well as in the bottle cap, you need to make holes using a heated rod or awl.
• Then a rod is inserted into the holes made, which should be less than the height of the whole, uncut bottle, by about ⅓ part. In the bottom part, as well as on top of the cover, nuts are screwed onto the thread of the rod from the outside. At the same time, the structure seems to be "flattened", acquiring the characteristic shape of a New Year's "flashlight" or a children's whirligig.
• Now, it remains only to choose a place and fix the finished "windmill". For this, the protruding part of the rod can be bent into a loop, for which the weather vane will be fixed. However, there may be other options - any owner will certainly be able to figure out how it is more convenient for him to install or hang this "toy".

When making holes and choosing a rod, it must be borne in mind that the bottle should rotate freely, without any hindrances or braking, on the axis.

Fourth option

This model, unlike the previous weather vane, consists of two horizontally located tiers, along which semicircular blades are cut. The weather vane is also made from a plastic bottle, which is fixed on the axis in exactly the same way as the previously discussed model.

Prices for popular jigsaws

However, marking and cutting the walls of the bottle for this model will still be more difficult to carry out. First, on the walls vertically, you need to define two wide stripes, separated by one narrow one. The next step on each of the stripes, using a marker, draws semicircular blades, resembling something like large fish scales. Then, with a sharp knife, cuts are made according to the pattern, while maintaining integrity in the upper and lower parts of the future blades - their width should be equal to 10 mm. After the blades have been cut out, they are bent at 90 degrees to the main surface of the bottle.

Further, if there is such a desire, the weather vane can be painted in different colors, choosing their optimal combination with each other. After the paint has dried, the weather vane is assembled and fixed in the same way as the whirligig. In addition, this model can be simply suspended only by a string that is passed through the hole in the lid. And so that the suspended weather vane does not dangle in the wind, it can be loaded by placing a pebble inside the bottle.

* * * * * * * *

In conclusion, we can add that if you plan to decorate the roof of the house with a full-fledged metal weather vane, but there are no necessary tools, and the experience in this type of work is not great, then it is best to order such a product to a master who is professionally engaged in welding and locksmith work and has a whole arsenal of devices. Such a specialist can easily be found in any auto repair shop. Well, the sketch of a weather vane can already become the owner's personal contribution to its manufacture.

And, finally, to complete the picture, there is an educational video that shows the process of making another interesting model of a metal weather vane:

Video: The work of a master to make a metal weather vane for a roof

New 2017 is the year of the Red (Fiery) Rooster, and its figurine or image will be the most demanded present. Needlewomen "Cross" have a good tradition: to prepare thoroughly for the New Year holiday. And this year will be no exception. Many of us will make or are already making a rooster with our own hands, or even not one, but several at once! After all, you must definitely please your family and friends with a needlework symbol of the year, and yourself with the fascinating process of creating this very symbol in various hand-made techniques.

The creation of a kind of MASTER CLASS GUIDE from the Internet is also a tradition of our handmade site, which was born a year ago. For you, dear craftswomen, we have selected on the network many only the best master classes. Admire, look closely, discuss and choose the most colorful rooster! And then sew / knit / draw / blind / weave it. So, in what technique can you work on the eve of the New Year's holiday?

If you don't have time to work, it doesn't matter. The article contains links to craftswomen who sell finished works.

Cockerels made of paper and on paper

We make cards with the kids

If you are not a professional cardmaker, then before you start creating cards, be sure to read our article "Learning to make New Year's cards with our own hands using the Scrapbooking technique." In it you will find not only a lot of ideas, but also get acquainted with the basic rules for creating postcards.

Any cockerel drawn by your child can be placed on a postcard. If the kid himself finds it difficult to figure out how to draw a rooster with his own hands, then show him this step-by-step instruction:

And then, it's a matter of technology. Cut out the cock and make it the centerpiece of the composition. For example, your postcard can be so simple, but cute. In your work, use New Year's paper and bright red ribbon, add snowflakes, twigs and other festive paraphernalia. Once you have a basic idea, the postcard creation process becomes much easier!

Photo from the site http://itsapatchworklife.blogspot.ru

If your child likes to color black and white pictures, give him this opportunity. Print a card template with a cockerel on heavy cardboard and let your little one get to work. Further, having cut out a blank-ball, you can add voluminous snowflakes, glue semi-beads, imitating Christmas balls, etc., etc., etc. Give free rein to your imagination with the baby))

YOU WILL FIND OUT

You can find 8 more templates for coloring, as well as 2 step-by-step instructions for drawing more realistic roosters in the archive, which you can download quickly and for free!

Take note of the idea with a cockerel on a stick, like on Elena Yurchenko's postcard. Her cockerels are cut out of felt, or you can cut them out of paper.

Roosters from colored paper

The colored paper applique can also be placed on a greeting card. But such an application itself can act as a postcard. To draw and carefully cut out all the details, children will need the help of their parents, but they can glue them themselves.

Olga-15 offers to make funny paper cockerels in her master class.

A Rooster blank is a rectangular sheet of flexible paper or thin cardboard folded in half lengthwise. Its size is 13.5 × 10 cm. Along the fold line we make 7-10 inclined slots (approximately every 1 cm). Their angle of inclination is 50-70 degrees, and their depth is ¾ of the height of the folded sheet.

Ekaterina Ivanova in her video tutorial shows how to make a red rooster using the Origami technique:

Roosters in Quilling Technique

A very interesting idea is to lay out only a luxurious rooster tail out of quilling paper. It's not as confusing as laying out a whole cockerel, and it can turn out very effectively! Here is a rooster without a tail as a base (as it looked in the original, see the photo below).

Print it on a color printer, and then fantasize over the tail. As an example - one such work (although the tail is modest here, but you will try, right?))

And if you are not afraid to make a whole rooster using the Quilling technique, then you can take this ready-made postcard as a basis:

Or this pattern:

A cheat sheet on the main elements of Quilling to help you:

Button applique

And here are absolutely stunning handsome roosters, laid out of multi-colored buttons, half-beads, rhinestones and beads! As a basis, you can take the contours of the cockerels from our archive (link just above).

Crochet cockerels

Many needlewomen with a crochet hook on "you" and will be happy to knit a cockerel from multi-colored threads. And "Cross" will help you choose the model and offer several master classes on this type of needlework.

You can also buy knitted cockerels from Svetlana.

Felt roosters

The fastest and easiest options for creating a symbol of 2017 are felt roosters. The material is easy to process, keeps the shape of the toy well, does not require processing of seams. On the contrary, hand seams on the face of the product give it a special flavor and charm.

Photo from the site https://madeheart.com

Photo from the site http://ktototam.ru/

The figurine of a rooster, carefully cut out of thick felt, will be both a Christmas tree toy and a pendant.

Photo from the site http://ktototam.ru

And if you decorate the felt cockerels with embroidery, flowers and other decorative elements, then it will turn out to be incredibly beautiful in general!

Photo from the site http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.ru

Roosters in Tilda style

Well, how can we do now in our life without the tilde-Rooster? On the ToySew website there is a master class on tailoring this popular toy.

The Vetic master posted on her blog the patterns of the Rooster and the Chicken Goroshkin based on the tilde pattern. An interesting pair will turn out if you put in the effort and patience!

And for inspiration:

Cockerel Yurik from Orange Toys

A funny video clip about her tilde-roosters was shot by Maria Fedorova (the link to the patterns is in the description of the video!):

Coffee Cock Toys

Aromatic or coffee toys compete with tildes in popularity. There are roosters in this technique.

A coffee cock can be like this:

Photo from the site http://zabavochka.com

You can easily sew it yourself using one of the patterns suggested above. "Cross" talked about all the intricacies of creating coffee toys in this master class.

If you think that you yourself cannot cope with such work, contact the master. Yulia Charikova has made enough branded toys with the smell of coffee and put them up for sale at this address.

Interior toys made of fur

Oksana Svyatkovskaya will show her vision of a rooster and show how to sew it correctly according to ready-made patterns. Her Rooster is made of faux fur, but who's to say that this does not happen or is he not good?)

In the workshop Everything for creativity (dljatvorchestva) there are a lot of blanks for painting and decoupage. Choose and be creative!

Here's the beauty you can get:

If you don't want to make a souvenir in the shape of a rooster, you can decorate any wooden surface with a picture of a rooster. Here the scope for creativity is simply limitless !!! Here are just a few examples for inspiration:

Felted wool roosters

Other craftswomen make wool toys like real ones! We admire and get inspired! And if you really want to buy one of these beauties, then look for them at the Fair of Masters (there is a link on each photo).

Elenia gathered in one place many different felted wool Roosters and suggested MK to create one of them. It turns out very cute!

Roosters embroidered with a cross, beads and ribbons

Perhaps you love embroidery more than other types of needlework. Then you can put the symbol of the year on a pillowcase, decorate it in the form of a panel, a picture in a frame or a brooch. The main thing is that the image of the Rooster warms your soul. And if you donate your work, find out the preferences of the gifted.

More than 50 different patterns for embroidery of roosters and cockerels you will find in a special album

The weather vane not only has a practical value at the summer cottage, but also performs a decorative function. Usually it is a metal figure of a rooster or other forged composition on a vertical axis, which rotates with the help of the wind and shows its direction and strength. At first, the weather vanes were exclusively steel due to the high strength and durability of such a material. And at present, in addition to this, a special anti-corrosion coating is applied to them, which protects the metal from negative external influences.

Varieties

Weather vane differ from each other in their purpose, the following varieties are distinguished:

• decorative options (serve as decoration);
• meteorological weather vane (determine the direction of the wind);

• chimney models (protect pipes from wind blowing and smoke penetration into the room);
• schlagen-weathervans (protect the chimney from the penetration of harmful animals or birds due to the action of special ratchets or fans that create vibrations).

However, some designs can combine several functions at once.

Material

The metal version of the weather vane is the most common, practical and affordable. Weathervane can be stainless steel or copper. Moreover, the second option, albeit more expensive, is the most durable. In addition, this design shines effectively in the sun, is resistant to corrosion and is very easy to clean. In addition, copper is a soft material that is pleasant and easy to work with when forging.

Wooden structures can be used as exclusive models of the weather vane, but they are less durable. And plastic is a budget option for an amateur. Some craftsmen are even able to make a weather vane in the country from scrap materials (for example, plastic bottles). But it is unlikely that it will serve its owner for a long time, and it will not cause any sense of aesthetic pleasure.

So, a wooden weather vane, subject to treatment with protective compounds, will last 5 years. Steel will last ten years if it is tinted every year, but the copper structure is practically eternal.

Design

A classic weather vane is usually made of metal up to 50 cm high in the form of an image of an animal. It can be a rooster, a cat and even any fairy-tale or cartoon characters that children will especially like. If you wish, you can also make a wooden plane with your own hands. If you want the weather vane to serve as a decorative function, make sure that its design fits organically into the architecture of the building and the overall style.

For example, figurines with a rustic theme are more suitable for wooden country houses, and Gothic motifs for an exquisite roof with a spire.

When choosing the type of figurine for the weather vane, keep in mind that each carries a certain meaning. For example, a rooster symbolizes vigilance and, according to old popular beliefs, scares away evil spirits. The cat symbolizes comfort and coziness in the house, and is also considered the guardian of the house and protector from evil spirits. An owl means wisdom, and a lion means strength and power. A weather vane in the shape of a horse will suit purposeful and noble people.

In Asian countries, weathercocks with the image of a dragon are common as a symbol of wisdom and spiritual strength. The image of a chimney sweep, according to popular belief, will bring good luck to your home. George the Victorious, killing a snake with a spear, is the defender of the house from negativity.

The griffin speaks of the strength and vigilance of the owner, and also protects the house from the influence of evil forces. It is interesting that even such a seemingly negative image as Baba Yaga is an excellent solution: it will not only attract the attention of others with its uniqueness, but also protect against evil forces.

The eagle protects the home from enemies and, being a symbol of Heaven and the Sun, embodies strength, power and greatness. Such a weather vane will emphasize the owner's independence and show his social status. And the stork patronizes families and is a symbol of mutual understanding. A very romantic image - a ship flying through the sky. Old Russian themes are also popular: for example, a weather vane in the shape of a boat or a hero.

Therefore, choose the design of the weather vane not only based on the aesthetic appearance of the structure, but also on the message that the figure carries.

How to do it yourself?

Before starting work, you need to make a sketch and drawing of a weather vane in order to know exactly what size and appearance the structure will be. You can find a standard blank in the shape of a rooster on the Internet and transfer the contours of the drawing to paper. For the drawing, you will need special paper with millimeter markings. In the future, this stencil is applied to the metal or other material that you will use. You can cut the figure with a jigsaw or special scissors for metal, and process the edges with a file.

To make a weather vane you will need: metal scissors; bolts; compass; bearing; drill with drills; wire; welding machine; kernel; wrench; lid with internal thread; a tube; file.

The base of the weather vane will be a metal tube. At its end, a thread is cut into which the cover is inserted. Where there is no thread, a bearing is inserted. We mark the cardinal points on the weather vane with a wire using a welding machine. On each side, you can fix the legend of the cardinal points, which are adjusted using a conventional compass.

We fix the made structure on the lid, while fixing the metal rod in the support.A figure cut out of metal and an arrow indicating the direction of the wind are welded to it. And don't forget to balance the weight and counterweight of the figure to get accurate data. And, of course, take care of safety precautions during installation work.

Mount

The most common and practical option is to attach the weather vane to the chimney. If the chimney is brick, then the strength of the fastening is not satisfactory. In this case, the structure of the weather vane is fixed in a vertical position with screws at the corners. And if you have a ventilation deflector, you can weld the structure to it.

You can attach a structure on special datums to the horizontal edge of the roof slope. The only drawback is a wooden skate, which over time can crack under the influence of rain, snow, bright sun and other external influences. The figurine must be fixed strictly vertically at the highest point of the roof.

Another interesting and very non-standard version of a weather vane is a cat figurinelike playing with a ball or catching a mouse. The figurine of a cat in this case is a flag, and a ball or a mouse will be the counterweight. This structure is supported by a rotating axial tube enclosed in a thicker copper tube. Rotation takes place due to the presence of a bearing in the main body.

Following the advice of professionals, you can not only build a weather vane with your own hands without any problems, but also ensure its accuracy and durability.

• for greater accuracy of the weather vane, pay attention to the fact that there are no tall buildings or trees nearby, which can significantly distort the wind direction indicators;
• the design of the weather vane should not be too weighty, while the figure on the arrow should balance with the counterweight - only then the weather vane will rotate freely;
• to connect the axle to the base, use a special bearing with protection against moisture so that the rotation is free;

Every person wants his home to be beautiful, both inside and out. To decorate the exterior of the house, they use both decorative finishing materials and various statues, trees and flower beds. Today you can also decorate the roof of your private house or country cottage with a weather vane.

A weather vane is a flag that rotates around its axis under the influence of the wind. Previously, they were used to determine the direction and strength of the wind. At the present time, they have become an excellent and original decoration of the roof of the dwelling.

History

Weathervane has a rich history. There is no exact information about who and when the first weather vane was made. But today it is known for certain that the first weather vane adorned the Tower of the Winds in Athens, and it was around 48 BC. This weather vane was an image of the sea god Triton and the direction of the eight winds. One can immediately understand that even the very first construction had a symbolic meaning.

The tradition of making cock-shaped weathercocks originated in England. There, since ancient times, it was considered a symbol of a new day, vigilance and had a magical meaning. The rooster is also a symbol of Christianity. During his reign, the Pope ordered to decorate all churches with the image of a rooster, which symbolized the Apostle Peter. Thus, the roofs of cathedrals in Catholic Europe began to be decorated with weathercocks depicting this bird.

The rooster is also a symbol of France, which is why its people are so fond of decorating houses with weathercocks with just such an image.

The Vikings also love this device. They made weather vane from bronze, often gilded, depicting figures and scenes from Scandinavian mythology. The Vikings often placed their weather vanes on ships. The symbol of the stork - the patron saint of the family hearth - originated in the Scandinavian countries.

In the era of feudalism in Europe, the weather vane was performed with the image of the coat of arms of the owner of a particular castle. The Japanese and Chinese, who had their own mythology, loved to decorate their homes with weathercocks depicting a dragon. He brought good luck to the house and protected it from evil spirits.

In Russia weathercocks began to appear in the 15th century as home decorations. They were originally made in the form of a flag. But over time, they began to depict animals, people and mystical creatures.

In 1782, by order of Empress Catherine II, the largest weather vane in the world was manufactured and installed. The name was given to him symbolically - Tsar-weather vane. But, unfortunately, due to its enormous weight, it did not last long, and was subsequently melted down.

Over time, this device gained more and more popularity, therefore, in Europe at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries, even workshops began to appear in which weathervans were mass-produced.

It should be noted that this trend is observed today in connection with the growing demand for this design. As it turned out, weathercocks have not lost their meteorological value. Forecasts do not always correspond to reality, and modern weather vane, equipped with a more complex design and electronic filling, can easily determine the strength of the wind and its direction. They are most often used by modern meteorological services and air bases.

Today, the simplest version of this device has lost its scientific value due to the development of technology, but modern people still decorate the roofs of their houses with this simple device for decorative purposes.

Design features and principle of operation

A weather vane is a simple meteorological device. Its main part is the flag, which, under the influence of the wind, turns towards the least resistance. A wind rose is fixed at the base of the structure, usually having four or eight directions. From them, you can accurately determine where the wind is blowing from. Also, the structure of the weather vane can be equipped with a small fan, which will create noise and vibration, scaring away small rodents and birds.

It must be understood that any weather vane consists of mandatory parts, which include:

• a housing that is inserted into the axle;
• a bearing that allows free rotation and is located in the housing;
• wind rose, indicating the cardinal points (without it, it is simply impossible to determine the direction of the wind);
• an axis connecting the body with the flag;
• cap, which is an important part and protects the bearing from moisture ingress;
• a flag indicating the direction of the wind, and is often a decorative figurine;
• a counterweight that needs to be placed on the opposite side of the flag to rotate.

It is better to secure all parts of the weather vane with each other, and it is also better if they are treated with either decorative paint or protective varnish for long-term operation of the device.

Option selection

Undoubtedly, a beautiful and original weather vane can be purchased at the store. But it is also possible to make it yourself at home. To do this, you must select the appropriate material and develop a detailed sketch of the device.

The weather vane can be made from a wide variety of materials:

• plywood;
• wood;
• metal;
• plastic or plastic bottles;
• old CDs.

The last two options are suitable for small structures that can be placed, for example, on the roof of a veranda or gazebo. Plywood and wood are short-lived materials, even if they are treated with special means.

Metal can withstand all changes in weather and strong gusts of wind, so it is considered the most successful material for a decorative weather vane.

The most important step is to choose a shape for the flag. After all, there are opinions that this is not just a decorative element, but also a certain symbol. Therefore, any image has its own mystical overtones. The symbols are deciphered as follows:

• The rooster is very popular in Russia, it scares away evil spirits.
• The cat is a symbol of home comfort.
• The owl symbolizes wisdom.
• Leo - the king of beasts - indicates power and strength.
• The eagle helps to protect the home from enemies.

• The stork brings understanding and happiness to the house.
• The goose is a symbol of vigilance, love and order in the house.
• The chimney sweep is a symbol of good luck.
• George the Victorious protects the house from any trouble.
• Baba Yaga opposes the evil influence of evil spirits.

When choosing a weather vane figurine for your home or summer cottage, it is better to familiarize yourself with what it can symbolize.

It should be noted that there are several main functions that this design has.

• Meteorological... First of all, the weather vane serves to measure the speed and strength of the wind and indicate its direction.
• Protective. When this structure is installed on a chimney, it serves as protection against strong wind blowing.

• Deterrent... If you install a propeller on the weather vane and place this device not on the roof, but on the ground, then the vibrations will scare off moles, rodents and shrews. If you install an electronic wind turbine, the effect will be stronger.
• Decorative. This device often has a very attractive appearance, therefore it is installed on the roof as an unusual decorative element.

Materials and tools

Typically, a simple weather vane design includes the following elements:

• Checkbox, which turns in the direction of the wind. It can have a simple geometric shape or an unusual decorative design and is the main decoration of the device.
• Arrow... The figurine is most often placed on it.

• Counterweight... It is located on the opposite side of the flag. It must have a larger mass than the mass of the flag, then it can return to its original position.
• Vertical axis... It is mounted either on a bearing or on a metal ball that allows the structure to rotate.
• Capprevents water from entering the bearing.

The flag is best made of metal, for example, it can be copper or steel. So it will be much more durable than a product for the manufacture of which wood or plywood sheets were used.

There is always an opportunity to make a forged product, but it will have a fairly large weight, and not everyone can make it on their own. And the work of the master will be expensive.

Any material must be treated with a protective coating, such as paint, to resist the effects of the environment.

The base and axle must be metal, as this is a very strong material for their construction.

To make a weather vane with your own hands, you will need special tools:

• jigsaw for wood or metal (it is useful in order to cut a flag);
• drill;
• a hammer;
• soldering iron;

• vice;
• pliers;
• grinder and files;
• sandpaper.

Drawing

First of all, you need to decide which figure will be crowned with a weather vane. Then you need to create a drawing of it yourself. If you have never cut this kind of figure before, then it is better to stay with a simple version for better performance.

The circuit is very easy to make yourself. It is better to first draw a drawing on a regular sheet of paper, and then make it exactly in the size that the figure will be, thereby obtaining a stencil. This stencil will be universal for any material of manufacture. It is better to choose its dimensions in the range from 300 to 500 mm, otherwise the flag may break.

Manufacturing steps

Regardless of the choice of materials and the shape of the figurine, the manufacturing steps will be the same.

The main parts of the structure are the axle and its body. The process of rotation of the weather vane will depend on them. It is better to install the axle on a bearing, and the diameter of its base must clearly match the diameter of the bearing. The bearing must be closed with a housing so that moisture does not get on it.

During the manufacture of the device, it is very important to observe all the technology, since its functioning will directly depend on this.

Figures cut from a stencil using a plasma cutter or cut with a jigsaw are very beautiful. An updated version of the fan type can be made from the old weather vane. It will look more modern.

The first step is to make a flag. A pre-prepared stencil is laid on a sheet of metal, fixed with clamps and cut out with a jigsaw. Sawing a pattern with an ordinary hand jigsaw is a very complex process. Therefore, if you have a jigsaw, then it is better to use it. If you prefer metal, for example, plywood or a plastic panel, then you can use a plasma cutter.

As soon as one part of the figure is cut out, you need to loosen the fastener and turn the sheet over so that you have free access to the other part. The lines must be cut carefully so that no irregularities arise. All work is best done on a metal table.

After the figure is cut out, it must be sanded well with a sander. Small holes are cut with a drill and cleaned with a file.

After making the flag, you need to make an arrow. It is also better made of metal. A stencil is applied to it and the required shape of the product is cut out. The boom will include two parts that are manufactured separately. Both parts must be well sanded.

Both parts of the pipe are welded to the swivel mechanism. A metal ball or bearing can be used as it.

After the arrow is secured, you can attach the previously prepared figure. It is also better to do this by welding for greater structural reliability. The flag must be fixed on one part of the boom, since there will be a counterweight on the other at its sharp end.

Support

You will need a thick metal rod to make the support. It is attached to the end of a pipe, into which a metal ball must also be placed.

Cap

The cover can be made of any materials, the main thing is that it fully matches the dimensions and protects the bearing well from moisture.

wind rose

The wind rose must be made of metal rods up to 20 cm long, which must be welded together at an angle of 90 degrees. At the ends of these rods, letters will be located, denoting parts of the world. Latin letters are often used, but you can also choose the letters of the Russian alphabet corresponding to each side. Each letter must be at least 70 mm high. The wind rose is welded onto the housing cover.

Vane

The whole structure is assembled, starting from the base and ending with a flag picture. With the help of the case, you need to adjust the wind rose in order for it to show reliable data. After all this, you can proceed to the fasteners.

Fasteners

Fasteners are made only after complete assembly of the product. It is necessary to decide in advance on the place of fastening, it can be either a chimney or a roof ridge. Depending on the location, the fastening system will be supported.

Roof mounting

It is very important to correctly install the weather vane. It should be fixed in the highest place of the house strictly vertically. If the first time it is not possible to align the vertical axis evenly, it must be corrected later.

Before installation, it is better to process the finished weather vane with paint or enamel, which will withstand the effects of the external environment. During installation of the weather vane, it is not necessary to tighten its elements too much.

Excessive rigidity of the mount will not be able to withstand the wind well.

Fastening can be done in several ways:

• with a round base in the form of a flange;
• using plates or clamps;
• with metal slats for fixing to the chimney.

In order for the weather vane to catch even the slightest wind blows, it is better to install it at a height of 10-12 meters. The process of installing the structure on the visor of the house is not at all complicated, but it has a number of features.

When attaching the weather vane to the ridge, you will need two metal plates. They are screwed on both sides of the ridge, a piece of metal pipe of the required diameter is attached to them, a thread is cut and a nut is put on. Then you can install the entire structure, securing it in the hole with a nut. All parts that come into contact with each other are best lubricated with grease.

If you decide to place a weather vane on the chimney, then you need to take into account that the thickness of the cap metal must be at least 2 mm so that the structure does not collapse. The bracket is attached to the cap with rivets. Then the main shaft of the weather vane is screwed into the bracket and secured with a bolt and nut.

Not everyone has the opportunity to make a real weather vane on their own or order it from professionals. In this case, you can make a weather vane with your own hands from scrap materials at no additional cost.

A variant of this design can be a homemade weather vane made of plastic bottles. One type of such homemade device is a propeller-shaped weather vane. For this design, you will need a bicycle wheel, a metal pipe, and plastic bottles.

Its production will take place as follows:

• The bicycle wheel is divided into four even parts, then the places for attaching the bottles are marked.
• At the next stage, lids from plastic bottles are attached using self-tapping screws.

• Next, the blades themselves are prepared. One side of the bottles is cut out with a clerical knife.
• The bottles must be installed on the wheel by screwing their necks into the caps.
• Next, the wheel must be fixed to the pipe so that it can rotate, for example, with a suitable screw.
• Finally, the finished weather vane can be installed in an open area.

You can make a wind vane in the form of a spinner. It only requires one plastic bottle and a metal rod. Manufacturing takes place according to the following algorithm:

• On the bottle, you should mark the places that will be cut in the form of blades.
• Then they need to be cut down to the top of the bottle so that they are sufficiently secured.

• Next, bend the cut parts at a right angle.
• The bottle cap must be fixed on a rod that will serve as the axis of the weather vane.
• Then the finished bottle is attached to the axle.
• The resulting weather vane can be painted with paint, decorated with multi-colored ribbons to give it a decorative look.

For a long time, humanity has been using a weather vane to determine the direction and speed of the wind. This can be a simple device in the form of a flag fixed on a high pole, or a more complex device with a rotating tube and an arrow, which is used to determine the force of the moving air masses. The rotation of the weather vane occurs due to the air pressure on the flag, which seeks 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 points indicating the cardinal points along which they are guided during observations.

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

A weather vane with your own hands can be made of wood and metal, plastic and tin, and its appearance can be a real work of art. City halls of many European cities are decorated with beautiful, inimitable weather vane in the form of birds and animals, buildings and ships, fairy-tale characters, etc. most of them are just decoration.

The main stages of manufacturing a weather vane

To make a weather vane with your own hands, first of all, prepare it reduced sketch on graph or other marked paper, or a template of the figure you like in full size. 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 pipe section Ø 60 mm;
• square metal rolling 15x15 mm;
• steel ball Ø 80 mm;
• ball from ball bearing Ø 15 mm;
• round metal rolling Ø 12 mm;
• metal plate 60x60 mm, 12 mm thick;
• angle grinder (angle grinder, grinder);
• jigsaw;
• a hammer;
• chisel;
• a set of files;
• electric drill and a set of drills for metal;
• 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. Photos of individual stages, as well as videos, will help you interpret our recommendations correctly.

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

• preparatory activities;
• cutting out figures;
• boom preparation;
• manufacturing of a rotary mechanism.

When working with metal, it is important not to forget about safety... 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.

Weather vane drawings

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

Weathervane stencils. Photo

The drawing shows the dimensions of the pivot assembly 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, the figure of a cat is cut out of a metal sheet with a pre-applied contour. The steel workpiece must be secured to prevent movement. Best to use locksmith clampswith 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 the part using a grinder with an installed grinding around.

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

Firmly fixing the metal figure on the workbench with a drill and drill Ø 12-15 mm make holes for the nose, mustache and eyes.

Making a weather vane with your own hands. Photo instruction

The characteristic oval shape of cat's eyes is obtained by widening the drilled holes with a semicircular filem and file.

3mm steel wire cut into pieces about 100 - 120 mm in size, after which 10 - 20 mm retreat from the edge of each part and make an L-shaped bend. Thus, 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 bar is rounded off using the same angle grinder.

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

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

Installation of the nose is performed using welding machine... After that, a mustache is inserted into the prepared holes from the front side and welded from the inside out.

After welding, the seams must be processed grinder until a flat, smooth surface is obtained.

Weathervane with your own hands. Photo instruction

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

Two pieces of a square bar with a section of 15x15 mm are used as the base of the arrow. In this case, the plumage is welded to one fragment, and a tip-shaped part is welded to the other. Weld joints are carefully cleaned.

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

The lid is welded to a 50 mm pipe section with a diameter of 60 mm.

On two opposite sides of the steel sphere, so-called flats - recesses for a clear fit of the ends of the boom. A rod with a ball-shaped element is welded to the base of the pivot assembly.

After both parts of the boom are fixed to the ball, proceed to fastening weather vane. To dock a figure with a spherical element, a semicircular fragment is cut out at its base, after which the parts are joined by welding. To avoid splashes of molten metal on the figurine, cover it with a sheet of tin. It is very important to correctly orient the parts - the angle between the arrow and the swivel mechanism must be exactly 90 °.

Sustainabilitythe figure of the cat is determined by the places of attachment - its front legs are welded to the steel sphere, and the hind legs touch the base of the pointer.

In order for the structure to rotate freely, these parts are used. A segment of a round bar is selected as a reference element.

Support rod should 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 wind vane turntable with your own hands, the structure paint and establish on the roof.

DIY video of making a weather vane

The videos below will be able to 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 backlight. In any case, the product, made with care and soul, will delight the owner and his family members for more than one year, pointing the direction to the wind.

Types of weather vane

The popular belief that if you meet a chimney sweep on the street, then luck will accompany the whole day, is reflected in the weather vane with the contours of this character. Today such a meeting is practically unrealistic, therefore attract luck You can enter your house by installing a chimney sweep figure 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 based on folk motives.

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

As 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 testify to the owner's independence, show his social status and high social status.

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

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

Weather vane in shape old Russian boat will be in harmony with a large house with many windows, doors and stairs. By establishing such a figure, the landlord will be able to tell others about his remarkable mental abilities and the desire for new knowledge.

Traditionally owlis 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 motives are not found on weather vane so 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, George the Victorious slaying a snake.

Shipflying 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, one must remember the complexity of such work and the need for accurate calculation.

Remembering old tales, you may find that, despite the negative image, Baba Yaga has always been a positive character. Note that this fabulous figure is an excellent solution not only from the standpoint of aesthetics, but also in terms of construction. The witch's broom is the perfect windsock.

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