How to Make Wind Chimes From Copper

Wind chimes add beauty and melody to your backyard.

Wind chimes add an element of sound to outdoors decorating plans. While you can buy many models in stores, making your own wind chimes is easier than you may think. You can make wind chimes from many materials, from bamboo to glass and variety of metals. Each material creates its own unique melody.

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• Copper tubing, 1/2-inch diameter, 5-feet long
• Hacksaw
• Power drill
• Drill bit, metal, 1/8 inch
• Drill bit, wood, 1/8 inch
• Wooden disk, 4-inch diameter
• Wooden disk, 3-inch diameter
• Sandpaper, coarse, medium and fine grains
• Clear wood finish
• Paintbrush
• Packing twine
• Fishing line

Instructions

1. Put on safety goggles. Cut four pieces of copper tubing to a length of 14 inches with the hacksaw. Cut another piece of tubing to a length of 2 inches.

2. Attach the metal drill bit to the power drill. Drill straight through the copper tubes 1/4 inch from the top. Remove the safety goggles.

3. Draw an "X" through the center of the 4-inch disk. Attach the wood drill bit to the drill. Drill one hole straight through the center. Drill a hole at each of the disk's quarter points, 1/4 inch from the rim.

4. Sand all surfaces with coarse-, then medium- and fine-grain paper. Wipe off all dust particles. Apply two coats of wood finish with a paintbrush. Let the first coat dry completely before applying the second one.

5. Drill a hole straight through the center of the 3-inch disk. Sand all surfaces with coarse-, medium- and fine-grain paper. Apply two coats of wood finish. Let the first coat dry before applying the next.

6. Cut a length of twine to 20 inches. Thread one end through the holes in the top of the 2-inch tubing. Secure it with a knot. Tie a knot in the twine 2 1/2 inches above the tubing. Thread the twine through the 3-inch disk until it rests on the knot. Tie another knot in the twine 10 inches above the knot holding the disk in place. Thread the twine through the 4-inch disk. Tie it off in a loop.

7. Hang the 14-inch tubes on the 4-inch disk with fishing line.

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting the tubes to different lengths add a variety of tones.

• Never cut or drill metal without wearing safety goggles.

References

• Leland Hite: An Engineering Approach to Wind Chime Design
• MakingFriends.com: Wind and Sun Catchers