Gravity Falls vanes (detailed)

This is, as accurate as I can do it, the vane that appears in the Gravity Falls intro, and through the whole series as well. A big wooden question mark decorated with the letters "W H A T" in the place of the Cardinals. In the last 3 episodes, or the mini tv-movie, the vane was replaced by one shaped like the character Bill Cipher, bearing the letters "B I L L" instead. I added also a cheaper vane based on a monochromatic shape of Bill pointing to one side.

This is the paid model in which I make a more detailed end with the false relief of wood. For the free, flat version see this post in Thingiverse

Differences between the free models and the models here.

Of the models I designed here, none of them is meant to work as a proper vane, just to spin randomly with some wind.

Currently, I cannot afford to make any of the big models, so that I used a print-screen of a rendered model for the thumbnail image. If anyone want to print any of these I will be happy to share the results.

Like other multi-part post I've made, I zipped all the parts together for each version, but you can download the models directly from this post too.

The axis assembly is the same for any of the three versions. These are the common parts:

• Base: "base.stl" or "base_2.stl" alternatively, but not both. This is used to to attach to the roof where you want to place it, and hold the smooth rod bar up.
• A steel smooth chromed 8mm rod: this is a required part you need to have/buy. It's a standard rod for CNC or 3D printing like this one. You can use it in various lengths, but I think the minimum should be 30cm. The rod works as an axis, and the chromed surface has minimal friction with the upper parts. I scrapped out one from an old printer.
• Bushing: This part supports the vane over the rod, standing in the minimal contact points with it, smoothing the movement as much as possible without bearings. Every bushing length I did with a "_i_7cm" version; which stands for "internal 7cm". That means that its hole for the rod is 7cm deep, making the vane taller, but a little less stable.

WHAT vane

The "vane_1" models. This is the vane standing the whole serie on the top of the smallest roof of the Mystery Shack. I divided the model in parts that enters in a standard 20x20cm bed printer. You can print each part in halves or in one piece as long as the previous needed parts:

• vane_1_p1_h1.stl
• vane_1_p1_h2.stl
• vane_1_p2_h1.stl
• vane_1_p2_h2.stl
• vane_1_p3_h1.stl
• vane_1_p3_h2.stl
• vane_1_p4_h1.stl
• vane_1_p4_h2.stl
• letters_base.stl
• letters_bar.stl (can be replaced by a 5mm threaded rod)
• W.stl
• H.stl
• A.stl
• T.stl

Parts assemble diagram.

BILL vane

The "bill_2" models. The standard WHAT vane is replaced by this one in the final episodes (Weirdmageddon). I divided the model in parts that fit within a standard 20x20cm bed as well.

• bill_2_p1.stl
• bill_2_p2.stl
• bill_2_p3.stl
• bill_2_p4.stl
• bill_2_p5.stl
• bill_2_p6.stl
• letters_base.stl
• letters_bar.stl (can be replaced by a 5mm threaded rod)
• B.stl
• I.stl
• L1.stl
• L2.stl

Parts assemble diagram.

Flat Bill vane

The "bill_1" models. This model does not represent a vane from the cartoon. This was the first I designed, and the only one printed and installed yet. It is also the cheapest, because it's just a 3mm sheet. I divided the model in parts that enters in a standard 20x20cm bed printer. I also uploaded the dxf file for CNC milling or laser cut, in the paid version.

• bill_1_p1.stl
• bill_1_p2.stl
• bill_1_p3.stl
• letters_base.stl
• letters_bar.stl (can be replaced by a 5mm threaded rod)

Parts assemble diagram.

Mounted vane.

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