Index
Home

Weathervanes

Since retiring, I have had some time to pursue interests and made this weathervane based upon the North American P51D Mustang"Old Crow" flown by Col. Clarence "Bud" Anderson from nearby Leiston during the last war.
It can be seen in Framlingham from outside Solar supermarket (look over the roof of John Self shoe shop) or, more closely, from Albert Road.

 I have been asked by friends to make them conventional weathervanes and, as this still remains a hobby rather than a business, I will offer the occasional bespoke conventional weathervanes to any who would like to buy from £100 each including a mount suitable for any vertical flat surface. 

As this is just a hobby, I will donate to the Treehouse Appeal for Ipswich Children's hospice, or another local charity any profit made above the cost of the actual materials used (i.e. you will only pay the prices as shown below but I will donate any profit made to charity).

I offer FOUR different styles/sizes. Please click on the titles to see more information

Simple
These are about 24" across the cardinal points and have a motif of about 10" high. Motif is cut in 2mm steel.
There are no scrolls on this style.
Price:  £100.

Standard
These are also about 24" across the cardinal points but have four interlocked scrolls on the main vertical shaft.
The motif is cut in 2mm steel
Price:  £135.

Large
These are about 36" across the cardinal points, have four interlocked scrolls on the main shaft and also have a raised direction arrow so as to allow a pair of scrolls on the rotating shaft as well. The motif on these will be proportionally larger. The fox in the illustration is 15" from nose to tail. 
Price:  £165.

Extra Large
While the actual weathervane is the same size as the Large, if an especially big motif is wanted the main vertical tube is reinforced with 12 mm steel rod the entire length. In addition the motif is cut from 3mm steel for added strength.The bottom can be threaded if required and the bracket strengthened if necessary.
Price:  £195.

All are substantially made with 16mm steel tube and 12mm solid steel bar. The designs are laser cut for fine detail from either 2mm or 3mm thick steel and painted with an industrial exterior metal paint for durability.
Please don't confuse with cheap imported cast iron items!
All weathervanes can come with an "L" shaped bracket suitable for mounting on a flat surface such as a wall or gable end. The standard offset to clear a gable end is @ 4"; if you need longer, please let me know when ordering. They can also come with a "plug mount" so as to go inside a pole such as a scaffolding pole. For these I would need to know the EXACT inside dimensions of the pole to ensure a good fit.

An actual example of the large style can be seen by the wall adjoining the pedestrian crossing in Framlingham or in the picture below.

The top motif will be as required by the purchaser. Three examples are shown below but basically,
if it can be drawn flat as a silhouette, then it can be made.
You may use one of the many designs I can offer (or provide your own drawing).
These include most animals (especially cats, dogs & horses), fantasy & heraldic (such as witches & dragons) and transport including trucks & boats. For something specific, drop me a mail and I will show you the best matched images.

The weathervanes will be sold fully finished for local collection or flat packed to post.

In the case of the flatpacked only, the cardinal points need to be inserted into a collar on the shaft and then locked in place with a grub screw. This picture shows how the collar looks (this is before painting & welding to the main shaft for clarity). The collar will be welded to the main vertical shaft and any scrolls welded to the cardinal point arms. The scrolls (if fitted) will be pre-drilled to allow a self tapping screw to lock them onto the main shaft.

Some examples of top motifs

and More Motifs HERE

Anyone wanting to discuss is welcome to email me

On the offchance that anyone is tempted I can also make another aircraft like the one above (or any other for that matter but please be aware the one shown has a 96" wingspan, a 36" diameter propellor, needs a scaffold pole to support it and would cost about £500). The size would mean it would need to be collected and with a big van!
"My" Mustang has a wooden frame, is filled with expanded foam and covered in fibre-glass.
It has taper roller bearings for the rotation and the propeller and purpose made decals.
It was featured in Model Engineer magazine Vol 205 No 4392 3-16 December 2010 where the construction is detailed.