Make Your Own Wind Chimes - The Great Outdoors @YourNewHouse

Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Two 10-foot sections of 3/4 inch electrical conduit
1/4-inch diameter eyebolt, 2 1/2 inches long, with washer and nut
1/4-inch diameter copper tubing, 2 1/2 inches long
1 x 8-inch board, 10 inches long
2 pieces of 12-inch fishing leader or chain
4 feet of light trimmer line
Wood or other material for wind catcher

PREPARING YOUR MATERIALS:

Using a hacksaw, cut-off blade, or a plumber’s pipe cutter, cut the 3/4 inch electrical conduit to these specific lengths (measured in inches): 20 1/2, 12 5/8, 15 1/2, 12 3/8, 18, 14 1/4, 16 3/4 and 11. Remove any metal burrs with a file or grinder. BE CAREFUL- THEY WILL BE SHARP.
Approximately 1/4 inch from the end of each pipe section, drill a 1/8 inch all the way through the pipe. You may want to use a large nail to create a starter spot- this will keep the drill from sliding around.
Next, lay the pipes side by side in the order listed above. This will assure the chimes are level during assembly.
Cut two circles out of the 1 x 8 inch board. The top circle: 5 3/4 inches in diameter, the bottom circle (striker): 3 1/4 inches. After cutting, sand the edges. Or for a more decorative look, you can router the edges.
On the top disk(larger circle), draw another circle 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Anywhere on that circle, make a pencil mark. This will be your starting point. Going around the circle, make another mark one inch away from your starting point. Just use a ruler, don’t worry about the curve. Next make a mark, 3/4 of an inch away from the second mark. Continue around the circle alternating the 1 inch and the 3/4 inch measurements.
Next drill holes on all the marks, using a 1/8-inch drill bit.
Drill a hole in the center of the two wooden circles (1/4 inch).
Drill a 1/8-inch hole near the end of the eyebolt. You may want to use a starter spot, as well as some lubricating oil to keep the bit cool.
Put the eyebolt through the center of the big disk, securing it with the washer and nut.
Push the 2 1/2 inch piece of copper tubing through the center of the smaller disk, and flatten the ends with your hammer. Drill a 1/8 inch hole through both flattened ends.
Make a wind catcher for the bottom. You can use any material you like, the shape isn’t important. Drill a 1/8 hole near the edge of the windcatcher.

ASSEMBLY:

Attach the 12-inch steel fishing chain to the hole at the end of the eyebolt. At the bottom of the chain, connect the striker, then add the other chain and the wind catcher.
Tie the pipes to the top disk. Begin by threading the trimmer line through any of the holes in the disk, down through the holes in the pipe and back through the disk. Be sure that you are using two holes, that are an inch apart. The smaller spaces (3/4) should be between the pipes.
Let the pipe hang approximately 3/4 of an inch below the top disk. Tie the knot, then secure the knot with fast drying glue.
Continue around the circle, making sure the pipes are in the same order as you laid them out before. This will ensure your chimes don’t tilt.

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