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Cut one CD to make a pointer arrow |
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Salem Clock Shop - 1085 Broadway Street NE, Salem, OR 97301 - (503) 581-3803 Fax: (503) 581-3331 |
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You can build a homemade wind vane with 3 CDs and use it to help make accurate local weather forecasts. |
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CD Wind Vane |
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Bill of Materials
· 3 used CDs · 2 thin laths about 18” long · Garbage bag ties or insulated wire · Quick setting glue or cement · A few pennies or other small weights · 1 large-ish nail · 3 washers · Broom handle or similar pole |
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If you’re reading this on your computer, you’ve probably got 3 junk CDs. This is just one more example of being able to construct accurate scientific instruments out of stuff that is just lying around the house or office. We had no preconceptions about what we were going to use to construct our wind vane, and frankly, invented it as we went along. You can do the same. If you like the CD idea, it’s fairly quick and easy...it certainly took no skill on our parts...and the resulting wind vane is durable and unique. |
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Select one of the CDs on the basis of the surface design, and cut it as shown above with a pair of heavy scissors or shears to make the pointy end of the vane.
Put some quick drying cement (we use Barge Cement...excellent stuff!) on one of the two remaining CDs and press the two together, overlapping as shown, to form the sail. Let dry. |
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Completed Homemade CD Wind Vane |
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When the CDs have dried sufficiently (probably 15 minutes), place one of the 18” laths on it’s side and put cement on the upper surfaces of the lath where the sail and pointer will go. Do the same with the second lath.
Place the pointer and the sail in position on the bottom lath, and place the second lath (glue side down) on the pointer and sail as shown below. Make sure that the two laths are perfectly aligned before you actually set it in place. Wire both ends to press lathes firmly against discs. Let the cement dry 1/2 hour. |
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Washers |
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Nail |
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Lathes |
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Mounting pole |
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CDs |
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Washers |
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Wire |
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Wire |
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Locate the center of the lathes, and cement a washer to the top and bottom of the lathe as shown above and below. Let dry 1 hour.
Join the vane to the top of the pole as shown in the diagram below. Erect the completed assembly in a place that is fully exposed to the wind in all directions.
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