This would be nice

[Bullfrog]

The entire thing would have to be built out of cedar or cypress, treated lumber would leech out harmful chemicals and any other wood would just rot, but it would really be a nice attraction..

[Sunbeam56]

Love the stack of rocks supporting the log/pipe... 

Why does it have to not rot? If everything were made of vinyl, that would be boring.

[Esther]

Bet that was on your trip east. I know we've seen working water wheels in the east.

[Kat]

Beautiful ... I've always loved water wheels.

[bunny56lbc]

Beautiful....

bonnie

[Bullfrog]

This one was pretty large as you can tell by the woman in the second picture. I'd like to build a smaller one mounted on half a whiskey barrel though with a small pump, it would be unique and make a nice sound. I also like the way that the moss has grown on it.

[Joyce]

Could make it look a little asian too by using a big section of timber bamboo. 

[Kat]

Mounted on a whiskey barrel sounds great 

Someone local last year was making where they were like a fountain in their own little water trough.  I wanted one but couldn't justify spending $300 for it.

[Esther]

We looked into building one several years ago. They are kinda hard to build and get all the angles correct. I found directions online by googling water wheel plans or something like that.

[Bullfrog]

Could make it look a little asian too by using a big section of timber bamboo. 

Joyce, thats an excellent idea! I liked the hollow log look but finding a hollow log or boring out the center would not be feasable. Bamboo is easy, a long piece of rebar and a mallet and you are in business.

[Bullfrog]

We looked into building one several years ago. They are kinda hard to build and get all the angles correct. I found directions online by googling water wheel plans or something like that.

Thanks Esther, I'm pretty handy in my woodshop and I think if I traced the wheel the size that I want it on posterboard using a pencil on a piece of string for a compass, I could them use it for a template or a pattern. Cedar fence planks are cheap and the arc of the wheel, as much as would fit on one board, could be traced onto the wood and the angle would be there for you. Cutting the angle is easy with a compound miter saw and I have a complete woodshop.

These radius pieces that would make the sides of the wheel could be easily joined with a Kreg tool. Esther, as handy as you are I have to tell you, the Kreg tool is the best thing that I ever bought and I have every piece of woodworking equipment that you could want. It's relativey cheap and it makes amazing joints really simple. You can make picture frames, table tops by joining many boards side by side, repair furniture legs, you name it. If you don't already have one, take a look at the website.. 

http://www.kregtool.com/index.php

In the upper right corner of the site is a box that says "What is Kreg joinery?" There is a "go" button that will show it in action and you will be sold.
He shows you how easy it is to build a small bench. Here's a link to that window...

http://www.kregjig.com/kregjig/

[MIKE M]

I once saw were someone painted pvc to look just like bamboo.

[PondmaninAL]

Bullfrog, you could split a log with a saw and machine it out so you could wrap it around a pipe. It's a lot of work but it would give you the log look, especially if you use ABS instead PVC pipe.

I plan to build one once I catch up with all the other projects.