Wooden Fish Weathervanes: Part Two

Wooden Weathervanes: Fish Story

Part Two: Gluing, designing and the start of the shape
4X4 and 2X6 define the shape you end up with.  Both appear to work well.  Depending on your design concept, both will result in a visually proportionate result assuming you are after a traditional "fish shape." The barracuda/torpedo/trout shape fits what I am after atheistically. Longer, nose to tail appear to create more pleasing lines.  In the wind, the longer profile has a lot of movement, which is what I was after.

Three 2X6, Round design on the sides compared to the 4X4 glue up.  Depending on your design

Two, 4X4s can provide a flatter side. Design, cutting and shaping help define the desired shape.

GLUE-UP  

     If you are reading this, I am assuming that you have access to wood shop basics.  This is not a "how to" blog on shop safety or Norm Abram's, New Yankee Workshop primer on selecting and cutting wood. As noted, I like western red cedar and redwood.  Pine may give you what you want. Whatever you choose, it needs to be DRY. I use Titebond glue, just  because it is sold in gallon jugs at the big box. Epoxy is not needed for the glue up.

     Getting a rough idea of the shape you want from the material you have usually starts from a drawing. Again, I am after a wooden shape, something of size, @36-42 inches, before adding the metal tail fin.  I am sure you could use a 2X4 and end up with something aesthetic to scale.  It would just be small, @12".  If it cannot be seen and enjoyed, why do it?  Depending on your shop, you may want to shape first and then glue up.  I have a 14" band saw so the glue-up first and cut later works great for me.  I could probably just as easy cut to shape on the band saw and then glue up. If you do not have a band saw, a coping saw or electric jig saw will probably work well.  I have never approached the cutting from anything other than a band saw so there are probably lots of solutions that I have not considered.  Or just use this an excuse to buy a band saw.  Here is a drawing for a 4X4 glue up and rough shape.  

    The rough shape ends up in a rough sketch on the top, sides and bottom of the fish. After cutting on the band saw, the shape is squareish (ish adds to any needed explanation) and needs lots of shaping to get to the "fish shape."
    Next: Part Three,  Shaping the shape.