Make Wind Chimes

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Ranked #58 in DIY, #867 overall

Build Wind Chimes ... It's Easy!

Build a Wind Chime, it's fast and easy! Wind chimes add a nice element to any home. I have mostly built my chimes from copper pipes or metal conduit and like the sound produced from these materials. I have listed many useful links below for building and understanding how wind chimes work. Wind chimes were used long ago to predict weather, and when mine get noisy, I know it is time to pick up a kite and go flying.

Use wind chimes to keep the chi in and out of your house moving.


My first hard drive wind chime pictured here turned out well and is nice to listen too. Hard drive platters are very good mirrors as you can see. I was able to use the motor so the wind chimes can also rotate in the wind. Be warned, the materials used in some hard drives are not good for humans, I've been told to avoid touching the drive arms holding the read heads.

History of Wind Chimes 

History of Wind Chimes
The History of Wind Chimes

Wind Chime Challenge 

Make your own music. What song would you play?

Here is my challenge to you...pick your favorite song, ring tone, whatever, and build a wind chime which if the winds are right, will play your tune.

For Example, Build a "Close Encounters" Wind Chime.
Notes: G, A, F, Octave lower F, C

Good Luck!

Handy Tools for your project. 

Pipe Cutter or Hack Saw
Tape Measure
Picture Hanging Kit. Includes eyelets and wire.
Scrap Lumber. Choose your wood carefully. Red wood is nice for outdoor projects.
Wood Saw.
Use a drill to make holes in the wind chime components.
Glue for adding decorative elements.

Web sites to get plans and information 

Chuck's Chimes
This site has terrific plans that I have used to build some wind chimes. Take a look at the additional information he provides to learn more about how wind chimes work. Get a copy of his spreadsheet which documents the lengths for each note and an associated suspension point.
The Wizard of VAZ
An Engineering Guide to Wind Chimes. This site provides great information and other useful links for building wind chimes.
Making Pipe Wind Chimes - from Lowes
Lowe's, a home improvement store has a nice plan and instructions for building a wind chime.
How to Make Metal Wrench Chimes - eHow.com
How to Make Metal Wrench ChimesThis project sounds weird, but the tone of these chimes is quite nice. Use box-end wrenches for a pleasant-sounding ring.
Hard Drive Wind Chime
Bring new life to the hard drive which just crashed! Take it apart and turn it into a wind chime. Hard drives are also a good place to find strong magnets.

Wind Chime Pictures 

Rambling saleswoman artist by Zepfanman.com

Rambling saleswoman...

 by mollie emm

Munson by rharrison

Munson

wind_chime_gleaming.JPG by lipstickproject

wind_chime_gleaming....

Atonement by bilbord99

Atonement

Creepy Sunshine by Bohemianism

Creepy Sunshine

It's Watching by Bohemianism

It's Watching

a_PHL_JULY09_0828 by nsaplayer

a_PHL_JULY09_0828

a_PHL_JULY09_0844 by nsaplayer

a_PHL_JULY09_0844

a_PHL_JULY09_0835 by nsaplayer

a_PHL_JULY09_0835

automatically generated by Flickr

Educational Wind Chime Projects 

Physics of Wind Chimes
This is a nice lesson plan on introducing students to the physics of wind chimes. You might want to try the pdf version of the lesson which includes more graphics than the html version link above.

Wind Chime Construction Books 

Wind Chimes: Design and Construction

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/26/2009) Buy Now

Wind Chime Design Software 

Wind Chime Designer
There are some inexpensive products on the market to help you know how to cut your chimes to the right length based upon your materials at its dimensions.
Free to Demo!
On Line Chime Calculator
The Chuck's Chimes link above provides this online chime calculator. Enter the dimensions of your materials at it will tell you what lengths to cut them at as well as at what point to mount each chime. Very useful.

Wind Chime Music on Amazon 

If the winds are calm, pick up an MP3 wind chime track to listen too.

Calming And Restful Wind Chimes

Amazon Price: $0.89 (as of 11/26/2009) Buy Now

Peaceful Fantasy Wind Chimes

Amazon Price: $0.89 (as of 11/26/2009) Buy Now

Wind Chimes

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 11/26/2009) Buy Now

Feng Shui Guide to Wind Chimes 

Feng Shui Chime Placement
What type of wind chime should you put in a location? Check out what Feng Shui recommendations.

Amazon has a good selection of chimes 

This is a Plexo module, so please add the wind chimes you like to the list, or rank the ones shown.

Woodstock Percussion GAS Gregorian Alto Chime, Silver

Woodstock Percussion GAS Gregorian Alto Chime, Silver

Create a cathedral of music under a haven of stars more...2 points

executive nature chimes - light cherry

executive nature chimes - light cherry

Indoor chimes are very nice. I have a similar one more...2 points

Woodstock Percussion WWOS Windsinger Chimes of Orpheus

Woodstock Percussion WWOS Windsinger Chimes of Orpheus

In Greek mythology, Orpheus was a gifted poet and more...0 points

Lawn Ornaments Outdoor Wind Chimes Large Aluminum Wind Chime

Lawn Ornaments Outdoor Wind Chimes Large Aluminum Wind Chime

Lawn Ornaments Outdoor Wind Chimes Large Aluminum more...0 points

Seasonal Wind Chimes on eBay 

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Reader Feedback 

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Wind Chimes on eBay 

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Conclusions 

I hope the content on this lens allowed you to see how easy it is to build your own wind chime. If your wind chimes get noisy, Go Fly a Kite.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations on improving this lens. If you have time, build your own lens to share your projects with others. It is easy!

Visit my Lensography for a look at other lenses I have contributed to the Squidoo community.

Thanks,
--Todd

by Edmands

Todd is a Systems Engineer with a Masters Degree in Systems Engineering/Information Assurance and an undergraduate degree in Geography. When time perm... (more)

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