Bob Farley
As a seasoned recycler and garden enthusiast, I've long championed turning discarded items into functional art, diverting them from landfills. If you scour thrift stores or yard sales like I do, you likely have the makings for this bicycle wheel wind spinner—my take on a 'whirlpool' garden feature. Years ago, I collected small metal cups without a plan, only to find inspiration at a bird banding event in Fort Morgan, Alabama.
Michelle Reynolds
Under a shaded tent at the bird-weighing station, I spotted it: a red-painted bike wheel on a sturdy metal conduit bracket. Hooks lined the rim, holding birds in drawstring bags. Experts Eric Soehren and Scott Rush spun the wheel to access each bird, weighed and measured them, fitted leg bands, and released them before an enthralled crowd. This ingenious setup, created by the late Bob Sargent—a bird banding pioneer—streamlined the process. For over 20 years, Bob, his wife Martha, and Hummer/Bird Study Group volunteers have netted migratory birds along Alabama's coast, gathering vital data on patterns and trends for scientists.
Eric Soehren
The event lives on, fostering ornithology, citizen science, and public excitement. That bird wheel sparked my own project: a whimsical wind spinner from found objects.
Bob Farley
Sourcing was straightforward—I had metal cups, nuts, bolts, a threaded rod, and coupling. Missing a wheel? My friend Malia, an artistic scientist, provided one. Adapt as needed: use funnels, egg poacher cups, ladles, cans, or cut license plates for wind catchers. The base must be sturdy, with clearance in the coupling for self-balancing.
Bob Farley
Drill holes in the cups and wheel rim. I protected my workbench with a wood block and wore gloves for safety. With eight cups, I spaced holes evenly, visualizing four diameters dividing the circle like cake slices—avoiding spokes.
Bob Farley
Bob Farley
Push bolts through cup holes and rim, hand-tightening nuts.
Bob Farley
Use a screwdriver and pliers to secure, tweaking cup alignment.
Bob Farley
Pre-drill with rebar for easy stake insertion without wheel damage. Align for balance on the hub.
Bob Farley
Success—watch it whirl!
