Here’s How to Make Copper Pipe Wind Chimes

Enjoying the great outdoors is a multisensory experience: the feel of the sunshine, the scent of the garden, lawn or woodlot; and the view. Those sunrises, sunsets and all of that fresh greenery can’t be beat! Outdoor sounds add to the experience, of course. This wind chimes DIY project will bring music to your cherished outdoor space, whether urban terrace or rural meadow.

Supplies

• 5/4" Pressure Treated board 

• 1/2" copper conduit piping 

• nylon cord 

• BeautiTone Exterior Paint or Wood-Shield Stain 

• Wood-Shield Acrylic Sealant

Tools

• pipe cutter 

• jig saw 

• router 

• drill 

• measuring tape 

• metal file 

• sand paper  

• protractor  

• compass 

• paint brush  

• drop cloth 

• safety goggles

Steps

1. Assemble all the materials and tools for your project.

2. Measure and cut eight different lengths of 1/2" copper conduit piping using a pipe cutter. Aim for a 1/2" - 1" differences in lengths, which will provide different tones in your finished chimes. If needed, file ends to remove sharp edges. 

3. Measure, mark and drill holes 1" down from the top of each pipe. Make sure to drill all the way through the other side. This is where you will thread the cord to attach your chimes. Use a countersink drill bit to deburr the holes and eliminate roughness that could cut your cord.  

4. Draw two circles onto your wood board using a pencil and compass. (One should be about twice as big as the other; we made ours 5" and 2 1/2".) Cut out using a jig saw. 

5. Measure, mark and cut out a small, rectangle-shaped piece of wood which will act as a wind catcher or clapper on your chimes. (This piece should be approximately the same width as your smaller wood circle.) Cut out using a jig saw.

6. Sand all edges of your two circles and wind catcher until smooth using sand paper, and dry-wipe clean. 

7. If not using cedar, paint or stain wood pieces with your chosen colour; let dry. 

8. Measure and mark the centre spot on your large wood circle. Using a protractor and compass, measure and divide your circle into eighths with straight lines. They should be equal distances apart. 

9. Measure and mark the centre spot on your smaller wood circle. 

10. At one end of the rectangular piece of wood, measure and mark a centred position for one hole. This is where the cord will thread through. 

11. Using a compass, draw one ring on your larger wood circle about 1/2" from the outer edge. Mark four additional points 1/2" from that ring on every other line. 

12. On this larger circle of wood, drill holes at the eight intersecting points on your outer ring. Drill a hole at the centre point. 

13. Drill holes at the four additional, marked inner points. (Cord threaded through these will be used later to hang your finished chimes, while the centre hole will hold the cord that attaches to the clapper.) 

14. On the small circle, mark the centre spot and drill through. This is where your cord attached to your wind catcher or clapper will be fed through and knotted. 

15. Drill a small hole at the top end of your rectangular piece of wood. Drill a larger hole on one end of the flat side of your rectangular piece of wood.  

16. Now that all your holes have been created, sand all sides and surfaces of your wooden pieces. 

17. Thread two lengths of nylon cord (we used 12" lengths) through a hole on the outer ring of the large circle. Knot the ends on the top of the wood circle. 

18. On the bottom, thread one of the cords through a chime, then send the cord back through the next hole to the top of the larger circle. Knot chime in place.  

19. Repeat the threading process with all remaining chimes in length order (or varying lengths). Attach the remaining wind chimes. When complete, all will be secured with knots that sit at the top of your wooden circle. 

20. Thread a longer length of cord through the centre hole of your large wood circle. Knot the cord on top. 

21. Thread lower end of the cord through smaller circle. Position that circle where you would like it to hang. Knot the cord at this point. This will hold the circle in place. 

22. Take the loose end of this same central nylon cord and thread it through the top hole in the rectangular wind catcher and out through the larger hole. Knot into place. 

23. Take four pieces of cord of the same length. Knot each and thread their free ends through the inner ring circle holes on your large circle. Tie all four free ends together at top, and knot. (This will be how you hang your finished wind chimes.) 

24. Your wind chimes are complete. Find a favourite spot in your garden, on your deck or in any favourite outdoor area to hang them, then get set to enjoy their gentle music that comes with the breeze.

Total time: 4 hours 

Difficulty: Beginner