On 6 Jul 2006 07:40:36 -0700, "georgepag"
wrote:

I need to re-build a cupola for a weathervane and want to make it
functional so that the weathervane actually indicates wind direction.
The problem is, I'm not sure of the mechanism needed to do this.

Single bearing, mounted high up above the centre of gravity and with the
vane balanced around it. Traditional bearing is the dimpled bottom of a
champagne bottle, running on a bronze spike.

You don't need something ultra-low-friction, or that claims to last
forever. You need something that's crude enough it just keeps on
working, even when it is worn out.