The main support of a weathervane is its post. Usually this post has been made of steel and painted black. Some finials were even mounted just thru the bottom edge of the skirt. Periodic re-painting is required to keep the post from rusting and history has shown that in most cases, weathervane failure (i.e. the figure freezing on the spindle or the vane breaking off in a strong wind) is due to steel posts that were not well maintained. 18 years ago, as an option, Fischer Artworks began creating its posts from stainless steel. Painted steel posts are still a valid option it’s just that stainless steel has a zero maintenance factor. We have chosen not to go with a brass mount as stainless steel far exceeds what brass can offer.
Many companies just have the top of the spindle rub against a spot inside the spindle tube. We approach it more as if it is a rotating shaft on a piece of fine machinery. The rotating parts get special engineered plastic bushings that are pressed in place. This plastic is UV protected and will last for life of the home. This offers the advantage of NO metal on metal contact which can seize up or squeak over time. The vane turns on a locked in place stainless steel shaft creating a solid one piece unit. Once again the whole idea is to create an item that requires zero maintenance. No one wants to climb up on a roof to paint or lubricate a finial support.
The support base is welded to the ¾ inch post and built to your specifications. You do not get just a length of rod and then have to figure out how to attach it to the structure.
Weather vane rods are also described as masts, pivots, shafts, spires, ridgepoles, supports, upright, staff, pole, spike, spar and are used for a wind vane harness
