Things You'll Need:
- Tubes
- Chains
- Monofilament Line
- Craft Wire
- Electric Drill/assorted Bits
- Electric Screwdrivers
- Groove Joint Pliers
- Heavy-gauge Wires
- Linesman Pliers
- Magnetic Screwdrivers
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Nut Drivers
- Ratcheting Screwdrivers
- Wire Crimpers
- Wire Cutters
- Wire Nippers
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Wire Cutters
- Wire cutters
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Step 1
Think about scrap materials you may have around the house.
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Step 2
Consider your decorating motif. A wind chime made of bamboo in an Oriental style might not look appropriate hanging outside a Victorian style house.
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Step 3
Check out nearly any object that generates a tone when struck.
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Step 4
Consider buying your material. Most popular presently is some form of hollow metal tubing.
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Step 5
Think about hollow copper tubing. It will age with a beautiful patina.
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Step 6
Think about a traditional material, perhaps hollow bamboo sections.
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Step 7
Consider something offbeat. Tour flea markets and pick up old metal tools, kitchenware or small bottles.
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Step 1
Strive for the ideal weight and balance. You want the chime light enough to be moved by a gentle breeze and arranged to hang level.
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Step 2
Choose metal tubes and trim them to lengths that will provide a sequence of pleasing tones.
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Step 3
Test different lengths of tubing - or the various materials you plan to use - by suspending each with a string and striking it with the dangler you plan to use.
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Step 4
Be as exact about the musical notes you want to generate as you want. A musical ear helps, but it can be determined scientifically as well.
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Step 5
Select the type of line you'll use to suspend the chimes. Monofilament fishing line and dental tape are options.
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Step 6
Select the material by which you'll hang the chime assembly. Light link chain available from any hardware store is a good choice.
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Step 7
Choose the material for the plate from which the chimes will hang as well as the striker and the dangler.
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Step 8
Weatherproof wood plates, strikers and danglers if the chime is to be exposed to the weather.
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Step 9
Cut out the plate from which the chime is to hang. Here's a chance to find something in a flea market that might be adapted.
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Step 10
Drill holes around the edges of the plate.
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Step 11
Feed light pieces of chain or a similar material at an angle and connect it together with a metal loop from which to hang the chime.
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Step 12
Hang chime elements from the opposite side of the plate.
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Step 13
Hang chime elements at different lengths.
Comments
windchimes said
on 6/24/2009 I made a wind chime out of some PVC pipe and painted them to a color of my liking. They have a unique sound about them and will last forever. PVC doesn't resonate as much as metal but they look very nice and there is a calming effect I get listening to them.
heyjudetoo said
on 10/28/2008 I have the fishing line and the material. I just don't know how to tie really tight knots!
vhansen said
on 7/11/2007 I have no idea how to make the chimes. Can somebody show pictures step-by-step?
Anonymous said
on 6/11/2007 You can use many different metals at the same length and still get a unique sound. Or use two and make a double set and have two sounds at the same time.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 The hole for hanging your wind chimes should be 22.42% of the total length of the pipe. 22.4% or 22.5% are also suggested. This is the "node" where there is the least movement of the pipe when it is struck.