Drum Fisherman Whirligig

[Philip]

This a new project of mine that represents one of my other loves in life (other than woodworking). Does anyone have any interest in whirligigs?

I have made several over the years but this one is really meaningful in that is love to fish for channel bass from the surf and especially from Portsmouth island. Portsouth Island is one of the best spots on the face of the earth.

Phil:roll:

 

[Philip]

I forgot to attach the photo. Here it is.

 

[D L Ames]

That is a great looking whirligig Philip. I have always found those fascinating but have not tried to make one yet.

D L

 

[DaveO]

I've not made any myself, yet. But my wife's grandfather used to make quite a few of them, in addition to a lot of carving. I have several of his whirligigs at the house. They look like a lot of fun to make. I will definitely try one someday.

Yours looks great, I would love to see it in action. Great job :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Dave

 

[McRabbet]

Looks like a fun project -- I have a plan for one that features a golfer sinking a putt that I've thought I would try one day....

Rob

 

[JRD]

Any tips on construction, or where to obtain plans?

 

[NCPete]

A friend of mine used to build these out of scrap steel. When he wasn't making sawdust, or fixing his old Scout 800, he played with his welding stuff. He often played with the welding stuff on the Scout (poor old truck!)

I remember watching him make one of these. but I had forgotten all the tricks involved in it, like the excentric shaft from the propeller to cause the motion... Which you can clearly see in the illustration above

 

[sapwood]

Nice Phil! It looks like fun and I love the bright colors.

My dad used to make them occasionally. One March day he and I stood by the garden and the propeller spun loose, hit him in the noggin' and required six stitches. 8-O So be sure it's attached properly :roll:

Sapwood

 

[Philip]

This plan came from an old issue of
Woodworkers Journal. The article had patterns for the various parts but had little information on the moving parts. There was an address for the mechanism but I made the mechanism from heavy wire and small bolts and nuts. I do have a book that explains various movements of whirligigs.

The trick is to adjust the mechanism to work properly. I plan to take this whirligig to Portsmouth Island this month; wonder how the whirligig holds up with 20-25 mph winds? :-o

Phil