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How to Make a Rain Gauge Wind Vane

Farmers have long been monitoring the wind direction and rainfall levels. Two factors that are very important to the healthy growth of crops. These measurements are made with wind vanes -- typically mounted on rooftops -- and rain gauges. Wind vanes display the wind direction with an arrow that points in the direction from which the wind is blowing. Rain gauges collect rain water and should be checked after every rain. If you find meteorology interesting, you can make your own small weather station rather than relying solely on the weatherman.

Things You'll Need

Indelible marker
Aluminum disposable baking tray
Scissors
Stick of wood, 1-by-1
Super glue
Saw
Dowel rod, one inch in diameter
Wood plank, 1-by-4
Paint
Paint brush
Scissors
Nail
Hammer
Enamel paint
Jar
Ruler
Stake, one foot long
Level
Wire

Instructions

- 1
  Draw the shape of the arrowhead and tail on the bottom of the baking tray using the marker. The surface area of the tail should be twice as large as that of the head. Cut the shapes out with a strong pair of scissors.
- 2
  Cut the stick of wood so it's 12 inches long to prepare the shaft of the arrow. Use the saw to cut one-inch slits into the ends of the stick of wood.
- 3
  Complete the arrow by inserting the arrowhead into the slit in one end of the stick of wood and the tail piece into the other. Glue them in place.
- 4
  Ready the shaft upon which the wind vane will rotate. Cut the dowel rod to three feet. Nail a five- to six-inch piece of 1-by-4 to the dowel rod about a third of the way down from the top. Paint an "N" on the wood for north with an arrow pointing to the left.
- 5
  Attach the wind vane to the shaft. Place the washer in the center of the top of the dowel rod. Place the arrow on top of the washer and center it. Hammer a nail through the arrow and the hole in the washer into the dowel rod. Don't hammer it all the way in. Spin the arrow repeatedly to make sure it swivels freely.
- 6
  Spray the shaft and arrow with outdoor enamel paint and let it dry. This will weatherproof your wind vane.
- 7
  Choose a location to mount your wind vane. You can stick it in the ground or mount it to your roof or a fence. Use a compass to determine which way is north. Point the north arrow you painted in that direction before permanently mounting the vane.
Make Your Rain Gauge
- 8
  Hold a ruler to the outside of a straight-sided, open-mouth jar at least nine inches tall. Starting at the bottom of the jar, use the indelible marker to mark where the half-inch and inch marks fall. Designate the half-inch marks with a short line and the inch marks with a long line. Write a number next to the inch marks starting with one and going up to nine.
- 9
  Choose a location for your rain gauge. Find an open area in your yard away from trees or roofs. Pound the stake into the ground where you want your gauge to go.
- 10
  Install your rain gauge. Place the jar next to the stake. Make sure it is level by placing the level on the mouth of the jar and adjusting the jar's position accordingly. Wrap wire around the center of the jar and the stake so the jar does not tip over.

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