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This is a real quick and easy project to make and it
gets fantastic results with minimal effort! You don't even have to finish
them because there made from cedar. No sanding either....I knew that would
make you happy!
Start by cutting 120 strips of 3/4" cedar 1/4" thick by
8". Then set up a drilling jig like the pics at left to drill a 1/4" hole
right in the center of each piece. Be as acurite as possible. When your
done you should have a pile of sticks if stacked up would reach about 30".
Doesn't really matter, you can make your wind thing as long or short as
you like. |
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Get some 1/4" threaded rod and put a castle nut on one
end. (I refer to them as castle nuts, but they may be called "nylock nuts".
They have rounded edges on to and a ring of nylon inside to keep them from
comming loose.) Then slip on all your pieces. Figure where you need to
cut the rod so you can tighten on another one of those nuts and grab a
hacksaw. Tighten on the other nut real snug. Now you'll need to make a
sled for cutting the tapers. Start with some scrap plywood and screw a
3/4" strip of hardwood to the bottom to fit in the miter slot of your table
saw. Then using the miter slot as a guide, pass the jig thru the blade
to trim off the extra. |
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Next take some scrap wood and screw it to the top, as
pictured at left. This isn't critical where you place them, i put mine
at 30 degrees and set up to remove about 1/3rd the height in taper. The
picture at left shows 3 of the tapers already cut using this jig, and the
last taper about to be cut. This produces lots of little cut offs, so be
carefull of kickback! Safty glasses is a must, a face shield wouldn't hurt
either! |
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Finally, drill a 1/8" hole thru the nut and the threaded
rod, to accept one of those spiral type key rings. |
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You can find these key rings everywhere. There a little
tricky to slip on, and they will fit snugly. Then you can attach a fishing
"spinner" next to keep the line from tangeling up. All you need now
is some thing to hang it from outside. A fine piece of chain looks nice
or some twine that won't rot. Altogether less than 2hrs for this project! |
Here's mine...
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These were submitted from Robert, he sanded and painted
his. Great job!
Find
more Whirly gig, weather vane and Wind Chime plans here!
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