This is a little removed from plug making but not too far.... I am copying a swordfish windvane my dad made about 25 years ago using 1" marine plywood instead of 5/4 clear pine. Bought some top grade marine plywood at Boulter Plywood in Somerville this AM.

My brother in Vermont traced the original shown in the attached pic and sent me the paper tracing and these pictures. What type of thimble should I recess into the pivot point to ensure the vane turns easily with a metal to metal bearing contact. I was think of using 3/8 stainless as the post so I would need a lightly larger inside diameter "thimble" to have the same metal & hardness for this key wear point. I would guess the thimle should be about 2" deep to provide enough lateral support with all the stress on this pivot point during typical NE weather conditions.

I cut out the blanks with my band saw and primed them tonight.

Any one made one before ... I see several companies sell the roof hardware and NESW quadrants and globes

http://www.architecturaldepot.com/c/weathervanes-hardware/\

Now I will need to make a cupola to give the windvane the proper base to mount the post on. One project leads to another...

My Grandfather had a Swordfish weathervane on his barn, your post takes me back...I'd try some Delrin stock for bearings thinking faucet washers.

The old weathervanes I have and have seen had a stake coming out of the vane itself that dropped into a pipe, the stake being 1/4" steel about 8" projecting from the bottom of the vane. I'd just make the receiver out of pipe that has a ID 1/8 larger than the stake with a small drain hole.

Ya you wouldn't want the wind blowing it clear off so have it attached someway somehow. good luck

Are you looking for a bushing that you will mount inside the wooden weather vane and then the 3/8 stainless rod will go into the bushing? Maybe a pin thru the wood, bushing and stainless shaft to secure it. I could make you a bronze bushing if you want.

I just got back from O'Connors in Billerica which is one of the best old style hardware stores still left around Boston. They had 5/16 steel rod (3 foot lengths) and welding steel pipe 1/2 OD, 3/8 ID also in 3 foot sections.

My current plan is to drill 5/16 holes in the 1' marine (mahogany) plywood with my DP and epoxy the 5/16 rod (5" recessed and 8" exposed) This will allow the weight of the fish to hold the swordfish vane in the steel pipe with 1/8 inch of "play"

If it is in a windy location the rust factor should be a non issue. (I hope)

From a metal standpoint what is the best setup? Stainless stell rod in a brass sleeve/bushing?

I am painting it bermuda blue/sailcloth canvas both Ben Moore colors that I think are great

I will post a pic once I have ithem (2) done in the next few days


Chris

stainless on stainless will gall. I would go stainless and bronze bushing and a little lubricant too. Now if you got wide open tolerances with lots of play it shouldn't be a factor but if you are talking a close tolerance application the thing would be one very quickly if it were stainless on both materials.

Your remedy seems like it will work just fine. Look forward to seeing it mounted.

What about a stainless ball bearing?

here is a quick pic of #1 of 2 in process. Still needs another coat but you get the idea...

here is a outside pic in the sun with 2 coats of paint on the swordie

You will get water down inside the pipe and it will freeze and probably cause the tubing to split. Should put the tubing on the top and the rod on the bottom.

I think he is trying to stop the whole fish from blowing off the
rod in high winds.

thanks for all the valuable comments/insights... I agree with Scott that the tubing should be expoxied into the swordie and the rod should be affixed to the roof support. How likely is the event of a gust lifting the windvane out of its pivot point. I suppose in a big blow anything is possible

Great looking Cupola to boot! Gotta love harry potter flying his broom overlooking your domain. They actually playing that HP game up at Middlebury College with nerdy college kids in all the crazy costumes. It good to see that many of US never grow up Would'nt have it any other way...

BTW... How the hell did you ever make a jig to drill your post hole perfectly vertical in those condtions... Jig on!

Great looking Cupola to boot! Gotta love harry potter flying his broom overlooking your domain. They actually playing that HP game up at Middlebury College with nerdy college kids in all the crazy costumes. It good to see that many of US never grow up Would'nt have it any other way...
I have this image of Salty flying on a broom playng Quidditch:err:
Nice weathervane

would have to be a MEGA broom...