how to make a wind chime?

Answer 1

Hi, my husband makes windchimes and we created a website (everything is free) in 2001 to assist those who want to make windchimes. There are instructions on how to "tune" your tubular winchime and also instructions on making a silverware and/or sea shell windchime. Take a look and I am sure you will find everything to could possibly want to learn about making a fabulous windchime.

Have fun.

There are a few pictures of some we have made.

You can do this, it really is not that difficult.

Answer 2

By selecting a variety of pipes from your local hardware store and trimming them down to size, you can create your own professional sounding windchime!


WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Pipes

Hacksaw or pipe cutter

Heavy grade fishing line

Clapper

Drill

Drill bit

6 inch disk of wood or fiberglass


A note about pipes: You can make a windchime out of almost any type of metal pipe. Use your finger to ping at copper, aluminium, steel, and brass pipes in your local hardware store, until you find the type of metal you prefer. How much pipe you'll need will depend on how large you plan to make your windchime. Usually, no more than 3 feet of pipe is necessary.


A note about clappers: Clappers are the object placed in the center of the windchime, which bangs against the pipes, creating the sound. Almost anything can be used as a clapper. If you want a mellow, even toned windchime, choose materials which are soft, like fiberglass pieces, wood, or rubber. Likewise, if you'd like your chime to be heard by the entire neighborhood, you'll want a hard surface for the pipes to strike as they blow in the wind. You can use a stone, piece of plastic or metal.


1. Cut your pipe. The most basic windchimes require only 4 or 5 pieces of pipe, but you can design your windchime any way you like. Keep in mind that the shorter you cut your pipe, the more high pitch your ringing will be. Each piece of pipe should be a different length. For chimes which are meant to soothe, a variety of like lengths will be needed. Begin with your longest pipe. For each additional pipe, subtract 1/2-1 inch from the length.


2. Sample. Ping the pipes before proceeding to make certain you're satisfied with the sound. Use your clapper, if possible. If you need to make adjustments, do so now. Filing down the ends of the pipes will help to soften the sound produced and raise the pitch. Cutting additional length from a pipe will raise the pitch drastically.


3. Drill a small hole at the top of each pipe.


4. String your pipe. Extra heavy grade fishing line or twine make excellent windchime material. Put one end of the string through the hole in each pipe and knot.


5. Add the clapper. Pull all your strings together so that they are even in length. String your clapper on a length of string that is half of that used for your pipes. (The clapper will be resting somewhere near the middle of your pipes when finished.) Add your clapper to the middle of your pipes.


6. Loop all your strings through a large washer or bolt and knot several times.


7. Hang and enjoy!


TIPS AND TRICKS

BY adding a 3-4 inch circular disk made of wood, fiberglass or plastic to the top of your chime, you can create new sounds and appearances.

Answer 3

In my opinion, bamboo chimes are a softer, more gentle sound. It just seems more relaxing than the 'bing-bong' sound of most metal chimes. I have a couple bamboo chimes in my yard. The best way I've found to keep them from 'falling apart' is to try to keep them out of the weather, under an awning, under the cover of a porch, etc.

Answer 4

Get some hollow pipe, fishing line and a couple large washers (all from a hardware store) and string them up using your imagination for sizes and arrangements. We did this as a boy scout project. It's easy and cheap and turns out great and each one gives a different sound depending on how you hand the pipes.