How to Make Wind Chimes Out of Scrap Copper Pipe

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Things You'll Need

  • Copper pipe

  • Measuring tape

  • Pipe cutter

  • Drill

  • 1/8-inch metal drill bit

  • Thin nylon string

  • 7-inch metal craft ring

  • Clear waterproof construction adhesive

  • 3-inch metal craft ring

  • 22-gauge copper wire

  • Wire cutters

Image Credit: Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images

You can make wind chimes from a variety of household and building materials, such as utensils and plumbing supplies. One of the simplest ways to make a set of decorative copper wind chimes is to use scrap copper pipe. Decorate the chimes with beads and crystals, or let the copper pipes stand alone.

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Step 1

Cut the scrap copper pipe into five to seven even lengths with a pipe cutter.

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Step 2

Drill a 1/8-inch hole straight through each pipe, 3 inches from one end. This will be the top of the wind chime pipes.

Step 3

Cut a 15-inch strand of thin nylon cord for each piece of copper pipe.

Step 4

Thread one strand of thin nylon cord through the drilled holes in the top of each copper pipe. Pull the cord through the holes until the ends of the cord are even.

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Step 5

Tie the ends of each cord around the craft ring in a triple overhand knot. Make sure that the pipes hang evenly.

Step 6

Cut two 13-inch lengths of 22-gauge copper wire to fit across the diameter of the 7-inch craft ring. Attach the two wires to the craft ring by wrapping 3 inches on each end tightly around the ring. The wires should cross in the center of the craft ring.

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Step 7

Repeat Step 6, but cut two 9-inch lengths of wire to fit across the 3-inch craft ring.

Step 8

Measure the distance from the crossed wires in the center of the 7-inch craft ring to halfway down the scrap copper wind chime pipes. Cut a length of 22-gauge copper wire equal to this distance, plus 6 inches.

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Step 9

Twist 3 inches of one end of the wire cut in Step 8 around the wires at the cross point on the 3-inch craft ring. Twist 3 inches of the opposite end of the same wire around the cross point wires on the 7-inch craft ring. The 3-inch craft ring should hang in the center of the copper pipes on the wind chimes. Use the crossed wires on the 7-inch craft ring to hang the wind chimes.

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