November 28, 201213 yr I want to try making a wind chime using solid hardwood. I realize that the sound will be more subtle than if I used metal or bamboo, but I want to give it a try anyway. I need suggestions on what hardwoods might work best? GregScroll Saw forum hosthttp://www.thesawdustfactoryga.com/
November 28, 201213 yr Hi Greg, I would think that any of the harder woods will work best. You'd get more of a ting than a tong or thump i guess you could say, but depending on how big you make it, maybe a few pieces of the softer woods will go well with the harder woods too.Charles NichollsSite Hostnicholls61@att.netProud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRAhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks
November 28, 201213 yr Author Maybe I just need to bang some together to see what they sound like  Charles Nicholls said: Hi Greg, I would think that any of the harder woods will work best. You'd get more of a ting than a tong or thump i guess you could say, but depending on how big you make it, maybe a few pieces of the softer woods will go well with the harder woods too. Charles NichollsSite Hostnicholls61@att.netProud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRAhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks
November 28, 201213 yr Greg I've seen them made from all sorts of wood. Even soft woods like pine. If you remember the bamboo wind chimes that had a distinct sound. You can cut your wood into square stock with the same dimension except into graduated lengths then drill holes down the length and they act as sound chambers. If you have a lathe you could turn them round.www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops
November 28, 201213 yr yep put them on a string and make them thin like you would for the real thing and see how it goes I think the hardest woods though would sound the best. Or what Mike said lol we were posting at the same time again Charles NichollsSite Hostnicholls61@att.netProud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRAhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks
November 28, 201213 yr Your going to want to keep them somewhat lite. The heavier they are the more wind it will take to make them chime.www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops
November 28, 201213 yr Author I used to love the deep tone that you get from bamboo chimes. What I'm planning is to cit them in a wavy kind of pattern ffrom 1/2 to 3/4 " stock, and since I don't have a lathe I might just use a long bit and drill a hole in them before I cut the edge pattern. The longest ones will be about 10" . I want to use at least 2 different woods for color contrast. GregScroll Saw forum hosthttp://www.thesawdustfactoryga.com/
November 28, 201213 yr I'm not sure I can drill a 10" deep hole or not, I'd be happy to if I could of course. I need to invest in some long bit's like my stepfather used to have and see if i can get them to center right on the lathe.Charles NichollsSite Hostnicholls61@att.netProud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRAhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks
November 28, 201213 yr Author I'm thinking maybe just half ways. GregScroll Saw forum hosthttp://www.thesawdustfactoryga.com/
November 28, 201213 yr If you are only wanting to drill 5" i can do that i think if I have the right bit sizes. I have 5/16 7/16 1/2"Â 9/16 5/8 don't have 11/16 and up to 1 1/2 inch from thereCharles NichollsSite Hostnicholls61@att.netProud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRAhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks
November 28, 201213 yr I know 2 ways to get that "Hollow" sound that resonates like the bamboo.Use 1x2s and glue them edge to face to make a "tube", then cut to desired length for tube. Another is to run 1x2 over a half round bit on a router table and then glue it up. Either way, both of them can be run over a router table with a round over bit to round the outside edges. I'd use a tight grained wood (teak, ipe or maple) and coat liberally with waterlox.
November 28, 201213 yr The way Mike suggested sounds good to me. The one I made, the clapper was too heavy and we didn't get much movement out of it. Once I changed that and added a larger, lighter wind catcher to the bottom it started working ok. I made mine out of 1/2" copper pipe.Harry BrinkBulldog WoodworkingMontana
November 29, 201213 yr Author I can drill them out on the drill press. Charles Nicholls said:If you are only wanting to drill 5" i can do that i think if I have the right bit sizes. I have 5/16 7/16 1/2" 9/16 5/8 don't have 11/16 and up to 1 1/2 inch from thereCharles NichollsSite Hostnicholls61@att.netProud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRAhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks
November 29, 201213 yr Author I'm going to start with 1" square stock, and cut the edges in a wavey kind of pattern. Thanks for the idea about the 1x2's I'll keep it in mind. dragon1 said:I know 2 ways to get that "Hollow" sound that resonates like the bamboo.Use 1x2s and glue them edge to face to make a "tube", then cut to desired length for tube. Another is to run 1x2 over a half round bit on a router table and then glue it up. Either way, both of them can be run over a router table with a round over bit to round the outside edges. I'd use a tight grained wood (teak, ipe or maple) and coat liberally with waterlox.
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