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Homemade copper pipe wind chimes
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3.88 from 8 votes

How to Make Wind Chimes with Copper Pipes

This DIY wind chimes tutorial was so much fun to make. Now we have a bit of musical beauty hanging on our patio.
Prep Time30 minutes
Active Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: DIY Garden Art
Yield: 1
Author: Patti Estep
Cost: $25

Equipment

  • Scissors
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Copper pipe cutter
  • Drill

Materials

  • 6 lengths of copper pipe - approx. 5 feet
  • 1 - 6 inch cast iron drain cover
  • Nylon cording for the top and the central cord. ~ 4 yds
  • Waxed thread for the pipes
  • A clapper - blue sphere from Hobby Lobby
  • A decorative piece for the sail - drawer knob from Hobby Lobby
  • One - 1-inch keyring for hanging.
  • Thin wire to secure the cords holding the drain cover.

Instructions

  • Tie the central cord to the keyring with a few square knots. Leave plenty of cording to work with maybe 4 feet. You can cut the excess cording later.
  • Cut four 20 inch lengths of the cording to thread through the center of the drain and gather together at the top of the center cord by the ring.
  • Use thin dark wire to wrap the tops of the cording sections tightly around the central cord at the ring.
  • Drill a hole in the top and bottom of the sphere. Use a long toothpick or skewer and attach it to the bottom of the central cord and thread the sphere up to the central line.
  • Tie a couple of knots below the sphere to hold it in place midway alongside the chimes. Then slide the knob on the cord below the chime line and tie a couple of knots to finish off the central cord.
  • Cut your pipe into six pieces. I started with 10 inches and then decreased each next piece by 1/2 inch. 
  • Drill a hole through each pipe about 1/2 inch below the top. Use some painters tape or masking tape to help the drill bit stay in place.
  • Then string the pipes to the edge of the drain cover in equal distant holes using waxed twine. Hang the top from something to help you tie the pipes evenly around the drain.
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