Like the book Rob showed any thing that can be done in a silhouette, can be a simple one. This too is on my to do list. I have picked up a number of books both old and new. The best one for a swell bodied, soldered one of a cock is this one.
Making a Copper weathervane by Bruce Helmreich Schiffer books ISBN 978-0-7643-3207-4
A couple of things to keep in mind, it has to be balanced to the mid point so the sail works to turn the direction pointer with the wind.
The larger the area presented to the wind, the stronger and better the mounting must be. As the forc e of the wind can be great on it.
Keep the bearing surface simple, no fancy bearing assemblies. A single chrome or stainless steel ball bearing sitting on a rounded point of a brass or stainless rod with the tube over it. And no grease used what so ever as that can cause problems over time.
And if it is going on a roof of a building or barn remember that you should check on your local codes for lighting arrestor requirements. As a metal device will attract.
You can do one out of wood, plastic, metal just about anything you can lay hands on.
16 ounce 24 gauge, roof flashing copper will work.
There are 3 styles of bodies flat (silhouette), swell body, and the a full body. The swell body is only slightly formed or rounded to give some form and shape.
One last item if it is heavy or large in sail area, and mounted on a building. The mounting pole should go through the roof and mount into a beam in the attic area at least 2" deep into a beam.
The above book has 290 step by step color photo guide, using only basic tools.
