Bearing Source for Windvane Pivot

[blondterror]

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/...nes-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...