How to Construct Wind Chimes
- 1). Mark the length of each chime using a marker on the pipe if you're using a single pipe to make several chimes. Each chime should be a different length to achieve various tones. If you purchase separate pipes, skip this step and steps 2 and 3.
- 2). Cut the lengths of each chime using your pipe cutter or hacksaw. If using a hacksaw, secure the pipe using a clamp.
- 3). Use the sandpaper to remove the burr from your newly cut chime pipes. If using metal pipes, be sure the sandpaper is rated for use with metal.
- 4). Clamp a chime down to a table and make sure it is secure. Use the 1/8-inch drill bit to drill a hole through the chime, 2 inches down from the top. Do this for all the chime pipes.
- 5). Use a jigsaw to cut out the platform, the striker and the weight. Make the platform large enough to hold the number of chime pipes you wish to use. It can be circular, octagonal or whichever symmetrical, "rounded" shape you choose. The striker will be circular, smaller in size than the platform and must fit in between the chimes. The weight will be suspended from the platform below the chimes and can be any shape you desire, though a typical shape would be that of an arched doorway. If you are using a template, follow the template to cut out the correct shapes.
- 6). Mark where on the platform you want to place the holes from which you'll be suspending your chime pipes. The distance from the edge is up to you, but do not make them too far away from the edge. Space them out evenly around the platform so that your chime pipes are equal distances from each other and so your chimes construct will hang in balance. For each chime, you can either use a set of two holes close together to loop the nylon strings through or use one hole per chime to loop the string through the hole and around the outside of the platform. After marking the drill spots, use the 1/16-inch drill bit to drill the holes.
- 7). Mark three sets of holes placed inside your ring of chime holes, towards the center of the platform, for suspending the chimes. Use two holes for each set. A good layout would be to arrange each set of suspension holes in a triangle around the center of the platform. Then, use the 1/16-inch drill bit to drill the suspension holes.
- 8). Drill a hole in the center of the platform and the striker and a hole at the top of the weight, using the 1/16-inch drill bit.
- 9). Sand the platform, striker and weight until smooth. If you have a stain or paint for these parts, now would be the time to apply it and wait for them to dry.
- 10
Cut the cords for the chime pipes. Depending on how low you want to suspend the chime pipes, cut the cords about three times the distance from the platform to the top of the pipes. For instance, if you want to suspend them 5 inches below the platform, cut about a 15-inch cord for each pipe. Thread the cord through the holes in the pipe, then through the chime holes in the platform. Tie off each cord. - 11
Cut three 13-inch suspension cords. Run them through the bottom of the suspension holes in the platform and tie the ends to the washer above the platform. - 12
Cut a length of cord to run through the center of the platform, the striker and to the hole in the weight. Cut the cord to the length of your longest chime, plus the distance from the platform to the top of the chime pipes, plus 6 inches for clearance at the top, plus 2-1/4 inches for weight clearance. For instance, if your longest chime is 8 inches, and you are hanging the pipes 5 inches below the platform, then you'll need 21-1/4 inches of cord. - 13
Tie the top of the long cord to the washer. Run the rest of the cord through the center hole of the platform, then through the center of the striker. Place the striker about halfway down the cord. Underneath the striker, tie a knot in the cord big enough so that the striker won't slide down the cord. Tie the end of the cord to the weight. - 14
Hang your new wind chimes from the washer. If it is not level, you'll need to adjust the length of the suspension cords.
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