Kid Friendly Project #3 – Make Windchimes
By Tim Bogert
Windchime Instructions & Diagram
Windchimes provide a beautiful soundtrack for your outdoor spaces. You can buy ready-to-hang models but the real fun comes by experimenting with different sizes and materials to make your own sounds.
- Decide what sound you want. From bamboo to steel to copper different materials produce a variety of sounds. (As a general rule, larger tubes produce deeper tones.) With most windchimes shorter tubes are a smaller diameter and longer tubes are a larger diameter.
- Head to your local home center for materials and supplies.
- Cut tubes to the desired lengths based on what tones you want.
- Drill 1/8” holes in opposite sides of one end of each tube for the tube suspension cords.
- Cut the suspension platform to size and shape.
- Locate and drill 7/32”* holes to align with each tube’s cords and one in the center of the platform for the suspension cords.
- Using the hole saw blade (without the center drill bit) cut the striker to size and drill a 7/32“ hole in the center.
- Cut the sail to size and shape and drill a hole in near the top for the suspension cord. Sand the wooden parts.
- Drill 7/32” holes in the suspension platform for the suspension cords. Locate and drill holes to align with each tube’s cords and one in the center of the platform for the striker.
- Thread individual tube suspension cords through the holes in each tube up through the suspension platform. (Tie a knot in each so the top of each tube is the same distance from the suspension platform as each other tube.
- Thread the main suspension cord through the sail and the striker, and up through the suspension platform. Tie knots where shown.
- Choose a location to hang the windchime so you can hear it throughout your yard (or from your window).
*NOTE: Depending on the thickness of your suspension cord material, this size might need to adjust.
Your yard will be filled with music throughout the season, giving a more peaceful feel to your outdoor activities. Make several chimes in different sizes and from different materials, noting what tones come from each. Which are your favorites? Which do your kids like? You can always adjust different parts of your chime to make the perfect sound.
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS:
- (1) 1” x 4” x 12” hardwood board
- (6-8) tubes – material length and diameter varied by the type of sound you want
- (1) 50’ roll of lightweight cord or flexible wire (or similar material)
- (1) 3” x 4” piece of thin material (wood, plastic, etc.) for the sail
RECOMMENDED TOOLS:
- Pegasus Folding Work Table (WX051)
- BladeRunner Portable Table Top Saw (WX572L)
- 20V Power Share Switchdriver 2-in-1 Cordless Drill & Driver (WX176L)
- 20V Power Share Sandeck 5-in-1 Multi-Sander (WX820L)
- 2” Hole saw drill bit
- 7/32” drill bit
- 1/8” drill bit
- Tape Measure
- Scissors
- Safety Glasses
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