Wind Chime Metal

[mbcft42]

I just purchased a Plasma cutter and my wife asked me to make her some wind chimes. My question is what to use for the chimes that will make a clear 'ring'. I have used stainless stock in the past and it sounds dull. Someone said to use tool steel (hardened). I don't have much experience with aluminum or copper, but I am willing to try if people think that will work. I don't really like wood or bamboo, mostly for durability.


Anybody have any experience with this type of question?

[SundownIII]

mbcft42,

Hotfoot, over on Hobart, is probably the resident authority on gongs and wind chimes.

He's posted up quite a lot of information.

Can't remember if he posts on the Miller board.

[monte55]

I made a wind chime for my wife. I used 1" ID rigid copper tubing. There are about 5 chimes starting at about 4 ft long. Decide what type of sound you like. Long and larger diameters give a nice "dong" rather than a "tinkle" sound.
The 5 chimes were of different lengths for various sounds. Larger chimes and clanger take more wind to sound. The old door bells with a rich ding dong used rigid thinwall brass tube of 2 different lengths. How you hang the chimes makes a big difference. You can't hold one in your hand and hit.....it will be dead as can be. Hopes this helps. You may notice most chimes are not suspended from the top but from further down so the chime gets more action as it pivots from this point.

[Old Sporty]

I've used 1/2" EMT in the past and it worked fine. It's also a lot cheaper than SS or copper.

[monte55]

But doesn't have a very good sound ....................tried it.

[Old Sporty]

But doesn't have a very good sound ....................tried it.

That's a matter of personal opinion. I've had no complaints.

[monte55]

I've used 1/2" EMT in the past and it worked fine. It's also a lot cheaper than SS or copper.

Hey Sporty.........I didn't mean they sound bad but. It really has to do with the sound one is looking for. I started with conduit but 3/4 " was the largest
I had. I also had some 1.125" refrigeration rigid copper used. I liked the sound a lot better. I spun the tubes and held a course grade of sandpaper on them
and moved quickly back and forth. It gave a nice crosshatch pattern, then I cleared them. One could also let them turn green.

[Bert]

I made a wind chime for my wife. I used 1" ID rigid copper tubing. There are about 5 chimes starting at about 4 ft long. Decide what type of sound you like. Long and larger diameters give a nice "dong" rather than a "tinkle" sound.
The 5 chimes were of different lengths for various sounds. Larger chimes and clanger take more wind to sound. The old door bells with a rich ding dong used rigid thinwall brass tube of 2 different lengths. How you hang the chimes makes a big difference. You can't hold one in your hand and hit.....it will be dead as can be. Hopes this helps. You may notice most chimes are not suspended from the top but from further down so the chime gets more action as it pivots from this point.

he he....he he he.....he said: dong

AWWW C'MON!!! YOU GUYS WERE ALL THINKING IT!!!!!!!!! Oh, Nick, btw, I'm sure it matters what gauge was the copper tubing you used for your "dong?"
he he....he he he.....

[uhohjim]

he he....he he he.....he said: dong

AWWW C'MON!!! YOU GUYS WERE ALL THINKING IT!!!!!!!!! Oh, Nick, btw, I'm sure it matters what gauge was the copper tubing you used for your "dong?"
he he....he he he.....

Ok I only had afew minutes before leaving for work...and I hadda say.......this made me laugh.......I guess my mind is in the gutter too..right where it feels at home LOL Jim

[monte55]

he he....he he he.....he said: dong

AWWW C'MON!!! YOU GUYS WERE ALL THINKING IT!!!!!!!!! Oh, Nick, btw, I'm sure it matters what gauge was the copper tubing you used for your "dong?"
he he....he he he.....

OK.....dong......tinkle..............I get it