Cut my first whirligig

[Dawie]

I did it at last I cut a whirligig. A very simple one, but I did it. It's a bird, waiting for the wing hubs to dry, than will check if all fits and works, de-essemble it and paint it, once dry and assembled again I will show off.
David

[newfie]

cool i can't wait to see it.

[Keefie]

me too, sounds interesting

[Al W]

Okay, I'll bite.

What is a whirligig?

Guessing I will have to wait for a picture.

[Keefie]

They are like a little windmill for the garden, some have the blades operating something like making the wings of a bird flap or a robin pulling at a worm etc.

[campasano]

David, whirligigs are my favorite things to make, I have made over a Hundred over the last 4 years. I like making all kinds of birds and I also make action whirligigs i.e. Woodcutter, car cranker, fisherman,etc. If I can be of some help send me a PM or e-mail me at       camp7436@comcast.net
I am looking forward to seeing your finished bird, here are some of mine.

[dgman]

Those are some really nice looking Whirligigs there Mike!

[campasano]

dgman, thank you for the compliment, I have all types around the perimeter of my backyard. I enjoy them in action on windy days.

Mike

[BigPete]

Those look great mike ! are they hard to make ? where can i find the plans/pattern for them?...Pete

[Al W]

Are the patterns and plans for these items copyrighted?  If available, could someone post a plan/pattern here for us unknowing ones?

[edward]

 Meisel Hardware, and cherry tree toys , winfield collections, habe all sorts of patterns and parts, I like Meisel the best, they carry all the parts that you need.  Hope this helps. Edward

[campasano]

edward has listed all of the companies that sell the plans, I make most of the required parts except the screws and nails. Yes these plans are copy written and the plans cannot be shared via the forum. You can give away or sell the original plans you purchased. The wirligigs are not hard to make if you follow the instructions. Birds are the easiest, the action ones are harder to make, but get easier with experience. If you can scroll you can make a whirligig. I use my scrollsaw to cut out the pieces needed for the action type. A bandsaw is also used for the larger and thick pieces.
If you have any more questions please feel free to contact me and I will try to help you.

Mike

[Dawie]

Thanks Mike,

Think I might come knocking at your door. I got the first set of wings wrong. The plan wanted me to carve them out of one piece like propellers. No go. I have now made them in two parts held together (by with glue, but am wondering if I should not have made slits in this joining piece) another piece and tried this on the winghub, now I have turning wings. Am now painting my first bird.

So hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday I will have one done.

David

[campasano]

David, Bird wings should be cut in two individual identical pieces to make up a pair (2 sets or 4 wings per bird), the hub is a 3/4"x3" solid piece of wood the two end pieces should have 45 degree cuts about 3/4" deep. one end should be an opposite cut then the second end. I will try to send you a picture of the diagram to your inbox within a day or two.

Mike

[Dawie]

David, Bird wings should be cut in two individual identical pieces to make up a pair (2 sets or 4 wings per bird), the hub is a 3/4"x3" solid piece of wood the two end pieces should have 45 degree cuts about 3/4" deep. one end should be an opposite cut then the second end. I will try to send you a picture of the diagram to your inbox within a day or two.

Mike

Thanks Mike,

I thought something like that. Love to see your picture.

David