Wind Chimes

[Darryn Achall]

We have an art show coming up soon that is a fun one. Local writers have been busy writing poetry for us to be inspired by. Anyone inspired by a poem can make a physical object that represents the wording. The object will be displayed at a gallery show along with a framed copy of the poem. I chose to make wind chimes to go along with a poem about the wind waking you up at night. Started out by finding these aluminum pipes from a long defunct wind chime. I put them on the lathe, cleaned them up using scotch brite pads and polished them with metal polish. Next step will be to turn a wooden top piece and hang the tubes on it for prototyping. It's good to be back in the shop now that my elbow is feeling mostly better.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Turned a disk of the approximate size and shape I intended to use. Mocked up the tubes with different types of hooks and string. So far, I've settled on 4mm stainless steel eye hooks. They should weather well, and they won't catch your eye too much. The best string I have on hand is 30# braided fishing line. The piece will eventually be hung out on a patio in the weather. What kind of wood would you use for the disk pieces? How would you finish it? If any of you have suggestions or experience in this type of project, please "chime" in!

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

Has anyone tried making the chimes out of wood? It probably would take a specific wood to get them to ring.

 

[Lance Mirrer]

Once you polish the aluminum, do you put anything on it to protect it from corrosion?

 

[Darryn Achall]

Has anyone tried making the chimes out of wood? It probably would take a specific wood to get them to ring.

If you look up wind chime design, there is a lot of math involved. The length, diameter, and mass of the material is all a consideration in order to get pleasing notes. I have seen them made from bamboo. May take some experimenting but other woods should work with some effort. I might try making some chime tubes from sunflower stalks next fall when we have large ones available.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Once you polish the aluminum, do you put anything on it to protect it from corrosion?

No decision yet on the aluminum tubes. I'm open to suggestions. A clear coat of something UV resistant would keep them shiny if that is desirable. A natural patina could also be acceptable if the chimes will hang outdoors.

 

[hughie]

Has anyone tried making the chimes out of wood? It probably would take a specific wood to get them to ring.

I travel to South East Asia quite often and bamboo wind chimes are quite common there. Generally in the lower range with lower sound volume, but the work OK. They popular here in Australia so much so our local hardware stocks a range.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

I made several many years ago and I got the plan online from Lowes. Nice project but the strings on mine broke regularly and it is now sitting on my bench.

 

[Larry Copas]

I've made a few from all kinds of metal and wood.




I should get to work and finish this set as it has been sitting on a shelf for a few years. Eight staves, turning is the easy part.

 

[Tom Gall]

I made several many years ago and I got the plan online from Lowes. Nice project but the strings on mine broke regularly and it is now sitting on my bench.

Maybe try using some braided SS wire ... like fishing line/leader.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Maybe try using some braided SS wire ... like fishing line/leader.

All of them I've had lines go bad on broke at the knots or staples. Maybe the assembly scheme is an important part of longevity. I'm using braided fishing line on this one but don't have data on how long it will last.

 

[Jordan Daoust]

I’ve been looking at making a set of wooden wind chimes for my wife.
My first thought was to get some bamboo to shape and carve, but I haven’t been able to find a place that sells it

 

[Darryn Achall]

Took the mockup apart today. Turned the final main top piece. Used the mockup wood to turn a clapper piece. Reassembled the wind chime with the new pieces. The only part left to finish now is the wind catcher at the bottom. Could be almost any material but I plan to find a nice piece of very thin wood (maybe veneer) to use. The wind catcher has to be light weight enough that a breeze will shake clapper around.

 

[Darryn Achall]

I've made a few from all kinds of metal and wood.


I should get to work and finish this set as it has been sitting on a shelf for a few years. Eight staves, turning is the easy part.

I thought about making the upside-down V-shaped bars for hanging but didn't end up going that direction. Finish that set of pipes!

 

[Darryl Fective]

Cool project idea! I've thought about turning a top piece and using copper pipe for the chimes. I really like how it develops a nice patina over time.

Somewhere I might still have a set of windchimes from a manufacturing technology class I took in college. We were put into groups and had to come up with a project that we could produce and sell. My group chose to make wind chimes. We used a CNC to cut and drill the wood pieces. The chimes were aluminum tubes that we cut an polished. We made a jig to hold the tubes and wood while we strung thru a braided (fishing?) line and secured with rivets. We took orders and made some extra sets; sold them all. We split up the money and it paid for the class with money leftover.

 

[Walter Mooney]

Took the mockup apart today. Turned the final main top piece. Used the mockup wood to turn a clapper piece. Reassembled the wind chime with the new pieces. The only part left to finish now is the wind catcher at the bottom. Could be almost any material but I plan to find a nice piece of very thin wood (maybe veneer) to use. The wind catcher has to be light weight enough that a breeze will shake clapper around.
View attachment 73745 View attachment 73746

Engrave the clapper with “And The Wind Cries Mary”

 

[Darryn Achall]

Engrave the clapper with “And The Wind Cries Mary”

Great idea! I remember singing that song in high school choir a looong time ago.