How to Make Pipe Wind Chimes

The sound of wind chimes on a lazy summer's day provides music that blends with the sounds of nature. Creating your own pipe wind chimes adds your own touch to outdoor decor. This article gives precise measurements for a 4-pipe chime so that you won't have to experiment for a melodious sound.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pipes
• Pipe cutter or hacksaw and clamp
• Fine steel wool
• Drill/driver with 1/8 and 1/16 bits
• Goggles
• Jig saw
• Hard wood 3/4 inch thick
• Heavy nylon line
• Metal washer
• Quick-setting glue

Prepare the Pipes

1. Select material 1 inch in diameter for your pipe wind chimes. Copper makes a mellow sound, while galvanized conduit, steel or aluminum makes a sharper sound.

2. Measure the lengths of the pipes and mark them. For this wind chime the pipes will be 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches.

3. Cut the pipes with a pipe cutter or a hacksaw. If you're using a hacksaw, put a clamp on the pipe to keep it steady as you cut.

4. Remove burrs from the ends of the pipes with fine steel wool. This won't leave scratches in the metal that you would get from using sandpaper.

5. Mark a spot on each pipe 2 inches down from the end. Drill a hole with a 1/8-inch bit all the way through each pipe.

6. Use fine steel wool to remove burrs around the holes.

Make the Platform and Clapper

1. Draw a circle 7 inches in diameter on wood that is 3/4 inch thick for the platform. Cut the circle with a jig saw.

2. Mark a rectangle 3 inches wide by 6 inches long on 3/4-inch wood for the weight, then cut with a jig saw.

3. Make a circle 3 1/2 inches in diameter on 3/4 inch- wood for the clapper. Cut the clapper with a jig saw.

4. Drill a hole through the center of the clapper with a 1/16-inch bit. Then use the 1/16-inch bit to drill a hole 1/2 inch down from the top of the weight.

5. Use the 1/16-inch bit to drill holes in the platform for the chimes, the suspension cords and the clapper. Drill a hole in the center for the clapper cord.

6. Create four pairs of holes evenly spaced for each pipe. Each pair is spaced 1/2 inch apart and 1/2 inch from the edge. For the suspension cords, drill three pairs of holes evenly spaced, 1 inch from the edge, and with each pair 1/2 inch apart.

String the Pipe Wind Chimes

1. Cut nylon cord for each individual pipe, string it through the pipe holes and tie the pipe to the platform. Put a drop of quick-setting glue on each knot.

2. Arrange the pipes, clockwise from the top of the platform, with the 6-inch pipe first, then 8-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch.

3. Trim three pieces of 12-inch nylon cord for the suspension cords. Loop through the suspension holes in the platform and tie to the washer above the platform.

4. Create a 25-inch long piece of nylon cord. Tie it to the washer, then run it down through the center hole in the platform.

5. Slide the clapper up the cord until it is halfway up, then tie a knot beneath so the clapper won't slip off. Tie the weight onto the end of the cord.

6. Use quick-setting glue on all knots on the washer.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear goggles when using power tools.

Resources

• Find materials for a wind-chime project at Lowes.