How to Make a Tin Man Wind Chime

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • 9 tin cans, various sizes

  • 1 large tin can

  • 2 sardine cans

  • Funnel

  • Drill

  • Cardboard

  • Scissors

  • Wire

  • Glue

  • Paint

  • Paintbrush

  • String

  • Buttons

With a few old tin cans you can have your own Tin Woodsman for your yard!

If you want a neat-looking wind chime for your yard, try styling it as that colorful character from "The Wizard of Oz" who doesn't have a heart. A Tin Man wind chime will assure that you'll have one of the best lawn ornaments in the neighborhood. You could easily buy one online, but why spend the money if you can make your own? With a few cans and some wire, you can have a wind chime that looks good and is easy to make.

Advertisement

Step 1

Find a large tin can for the body (can A), another can about half the size of can A (can B), four cans of the same size that are slightly smaller than can B (cans C, D, E, and F), and four more cans of the same size that can fit just inside cans C, D, E, and F (cans G, H, I, and J).

Video of the Day

Step 2

Drill a hole on each side of the top and bottom of cans A, E, F, G and H. Drill a hole on each side of the bottom and just one side of the top of cans C and D. Drill a hole on each side of just the top of cans I and J. Drill a hole on each side in just the bottom of can B. Make sure all the holes line up with their top/bottom counterpart.

Advertisement

Step 3

Glue the large end of a funnel to the top of can B without the holes. Run two ends of a length of sturdy string through the funnel to the inside of can B. Tie each end of the string to its respective hole on the bottom of can B so that the string makes a sturdy loop at the top of the funnel. You should now be able to hang the can and the funnel together.

Advertisement

Step 4

Shape some wire into hooks on each end and use it to connect the holes in can A to the holes in can B. Make sure the string can still hold up all the attachments.

Step 5

Use some wire to connect the top holes in can A to the top holes in cans C and D (each of these should be the single holes you drilled in step 2). Cans C and D should be on the outside of can A. Use the wire to connect all of the bottom holes in cans C and D to all of the top holes in cans G and H.

Advertisement

Step 6

Cut out two hands from cardboard and paint them to your liking. Fold the wrist areas over a length of wire and glue them down. Use the wire to connect one hand to the holes in the bottom of can G and the other hand to the holes in the bottom of can H.

Step 7

Find two sardine cans of appropriate size and glue them to the ends of cans I and J without the holes. Make sure they look like feet.

Advertisement

Step 8

Connect with wire one of the top holes in can E with one of the top holes in can F. Use the wire to connect the other holes on the top of cans E and F to the bottom holes of can A. Then connect with wire all of the top holes of cans I and J (on the sides without the sardine cans) to all of the bottom holes of cans E and F.

Advertisement

Step 9

Glue cardboard ears onto the sides of can B. Paint or glue on eyes, a nose and a mouth. Paint or glue some buttons on the front of can A. Decorate further according to your preference.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

references

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...