A very simple vane may be made to represent a Zeppelin air-ship ([Fig. 99]) by cutting out a piece of white pine 2 feet long and 21⁄2 inches wide with the ends pointed to the shape of a Gothic arch. The hole for the pivot should be bored 2 inches deep and be placed well forward of the centre. To make the vane balance, the rear portion from the pivot to the stern should be planed thin and rounded with the spokeshave.
Fig. 100. A six-bladed mill
At the stern should be a small two-bladed propeller, pivoted on a flat-head wire nail. If the stern is still too heavy, the balance can be restored by driving into the forward point a round-headed screw, or by attaching another small propeller. In fact, if the hole in this propeller is made large enough, the screw can be used as the pivot; in any event, the vane must be balanced by adding some kind of weight at the bow.
These typical forms of wind vanes will suggest others and the young woodworker should try to be original, to design new forms, ships, submarines, air-ships, etc.
One form which the boys made was especially substantial and reliable. A six-bladed mill was constructed as follows:
First: a piece of 7⁄8-inch pine was cut to the form of a hexagon 2 inches across the points.
Second: a 1⁄4-inch hole was bored in the centre of each of the six edges and a 3⁄16-inch hole through the centre of the hexagon. ([Fig. 100].)
Third: six blades were formed from 1⁄2-inch pine 8 inches long, 2 inches wide, tapering down to 1 inch at one end.