Whale Weathervane DIY Revisit
A couple of weeks ago I was showing you some of my flea market finds. Remember the oak side table, the pair of dressing table side tables and the trio of country style signs, all from the flea market. On that same weekend I spy two of these stabilizer jacks for only $4 each. I’ve found them cheaper but there they were and I have a whale that’s looking for a permanent home. It’s time to make another whale weathervane.
The whale I’m referring to is this guy which was originally created as wall decor,. In other words only one side had been painted.
That whale size and design were copied directly off of this thrift store find, though I did tone down his bright colors. You can find how to create your own whale here. I still needed to paint the other side if I wanted to use him as a weathervane.
That was pretty easy, I just flipped him over and followed my own instructions from last time.
As for making my whale into a weathervane, I had to go all the way back to my post in 2019 where I showed you these 2 whales. The bottom one was found at an antique store in Maine for $375. I loved him, I couldn’t afford him, but I knew I could recreate him. And doesn’t it look like he’s sitting on an old jack?
This is the whale I created back in 2019. The jack is just a little different than the one I’m currently using, the whale is just a little smaller, but the idea remains the same.
For this project you’ll need a whale, a 5/8″ dowel, a ball top finial (I ripped mine off of my deck), a jack, scrap wood and E6000 glue or similar.
Create your whale using scrap wood using the directions from either of the 2 whale projects I’ve already cited.
Find the balancing point for your whale. Perch him atop a 2×4 and find the point where he doesn’t tip one way or the other and mark.
Cut off your ball finial and sand until you have a perfect (ish) ball.
Remove the extra pieces of your jack that you won’t be using. I did keep the large nut that fits in the top of the jack, it helps to keep the dowel upright.
I painted the jack black. It just had to be some color other than the original shiny silver which didn’t quite go with my rustic , I’ve been out in the weather, whale weathervane.
Cut and glue a scrap wood piece to the underside of the jack. Drill a 5/8″ hole into the center of the scrap wood.
Glue the top of the dowel into the whale and make sure it sits level. Let dry.
The scrap wood piece has dried but that extra edge gives the whole thing a bit of a wobble.
An extra picture frame edge on the bottom of the jack gives a better base to hold the 32″ whale.
Use the E6000 glue to attach these pieces as well.
Sand the edges and corners of the picture frame base and stain to match the interior piece if needed.
The deck finial has been painted black, lightly scuffed and vintage waxed.
Assemble and attach with more glue.
Ready for display.
How about on an armoire in the entryway?
Or above the fireplace?
He’s meeting my other whale in the family room.
Look for the diy fireplace mantle here and the shiplap above the fireplace here.
Or how about on a sofa table. So many options!
Find the driftwood lamp here and the board and batten wall here.
I still have one more jack. I may be over my whale phase but how about a cow? They make good weathervanes! Right?
Until next time, stay inspired.
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Wow, nice whale. He looks good everywhere!
Love him!!
Hey, I just stumbled onto your site… are you always this good at catching attention, or did you make it just for me? Write to me on this website — rb.gy/3pma6x?trime — my username is the same, I’ll be waiting.
I love all the rustic pieces you make! Can i ask where you got the picture over your mantle!
I painted the picture over the mantle. It was a recreation of a picture I found online. So glad you like it.