Make Your Own Wind Chimes

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Many people enjoying hanging wind chimes outside their house. The musical sound is relaxing and can enhance the appeal of your backyard. What many people don't know is that you can make a set of wind chimes at home.

First, decide what kinds of materials you want to use. Steel tubes produce a long, high-pitched "ting," aluminum tubes have a long, mellow clang with a resounding ring, and solid aluminum rods emit a short, sharp-pitched clang as well as an echoing ring. Copper pipes make long, low-pitched notes, and bamboo chimes knock together to make short, woody sounds. Choose whatever metal (or wood) you would like and buy several 3/4 inch pipes at the hardware store.

The striker (the part that hits the pipes in the middle of the chime) and the strings will also impact the sound. Cedar is a good choice for the striker, because it is not very heavy. Try different woods on the pipes you choose to see which will make the best sound. Use the same kind of wood for the top of the wind chime. Fishing line is a good option for string, but you can be creative about that as well.

The wind catcher is another spot where your creativity can shine. Since it won't directly affect the sound of the chimes, you can make it out of whatever you'd like. Find something that looks nice (like galvanized flashing and glass beads).

Come up with six different lengths for the pipes or tubes. The quality of the sound is not so much a matter of length but of where the striker hits the pipe. Cut them, and drill two holes about two inches from the top of each pipe. Measure and mark where the striker and top circle need to go (so that the striker hits the center of the pipes), drilling a hole in the middle of each. Also drill twelve evenly spaced holes along the rim of the top circle. Smooth all metal surfaces and apply several light coats of Rust-Oleum spray paint. This will prevent rust and give them a glossy appearance. When you assemble the pipes, start with the longest first. Thread the string through a hole on the rim of the top circle, the holes in the pipe, and the next hole in the top circle. Tie the ends together and cut off the extra string. Repeat for all of the pipes.

Hanging wind chimes outside your house is nice; making them yourself is even better.

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