How to Make Bamboo Wind Chimes

Although you can buy bamboo wind chimes that are tuned, most prefer to hear a random but pleasing sound from them. Some insist that a random sound is necessary for true relaxation. Wind chimes made yourself will always seem to sound better than those you buy.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lengths of bamboo
• Glass beads in assorted weights
• Drill
• Small saw
• String or fishing line
• Cup hook
• Scissors

1. Buy bamboo stalks at an import store, making sure to get several diameters and lengths. Buy more than you need because some may split when you try to work with them.

2. Cut the stalks into 10 pieces of a suitably long length, somewhat longer than your longest piece is to be.

3. Drill 2 holes in the end of one piece about 1/2 inch from the end of the piece. String fishing line, jute or whatever material you decide to use through the hole and hold the piece high.

4. Strike the hanging piece with another piece of bamboo and listen to the sound. If the sound is pleasing, go on to the next piece. If not, use a small hand saw to shorten the piece until it makes a suitable sound when struck.

5. Continue with other pieces following Steps 3 and 4. Make each piece of bamboo a little shorter than the one before, testing the sound of each one.

6. Lay all the pieces side by side, each touching its neighbors, and measure the final piece of bamboo to be as long as this grouping is wide. This is the hanger. Drill five holes, evenly spaced, through the hanger.

7. String two pieces together through the first hole in the hanger, taking care that they hang straight down and are separated by the diameter of the hanger. Strive to balance long pieces with short ones so the hanger will be balanced. Make adjustments as necessary.

8. Add glass beads to the strings as necessary to finish balancing the entire assembly.

9. Screw a cup hook into the center of the hanger and hang your new wind chime where it can catch the wind.

Tips & Warnings

• The joints on bamboo are solid, and the sound your chime makes will depend on whether you've cut it near the joints so one or both ends are closed or far from the joints so the ends are open.
• Although you can use fishing line, metal chain or any other material to string your chimes and hang them, you'll probably be happier to use another natural material such as jute. Seashells or wooden beads can be substituted for glass if they are weighty enough to help balance the chime.

Resources

• Learn how wind chimes are made and tuned at Made How.