Wind chimes

[Keithie]

So I thought I'd try to make wind chimes as a Christmas pressie ...easy in theory ... circular top and smaller circle suspended below to knock against a bunch of hollow tubes hanging from edge of the top ... but I've not done before.

Questions :

1. Does a forstner bit + extension on a jacobs chuck in the tailstock to be pushed into a round section in jaws on the headstock (maybe with a support) sound sensible? ...or if anyone else has tried ...what did you do ? long hole augur/boring kit ?

2. Does anyone have any idea about which wood might make a good sound when hollowed (I suspect the actual notes could becalculated ..erm...but maybe trial and error for that!)

I'll stop asking so many questions pretty soon

cheers
Keith

 

[NazNomad]

Does anyone have any idea about which wood might make a good sound when hollowed (I suspect the actual notes could becalculated ..erm...but maybe trial and error for that!)

African blackwood
Boxwood
Honduras rosewood
Maple

...

 

[marcros]

bamboo

 

[dickm]

bamboo

..... and some kind deity has even turned that ready for you!

 

[finneyb]

The hole will likely move off centre. If the distance is short enough to prevent it breaking thro the wall it shouldn't matter. If its a longer distance I'd try drilling the hole as you suggest then turn the outside round to keep the wall thickness equal. Putting a short tight fit homemade wood mandrel in the headstock end and bring the tail stock up for support should do it.

Brian

 

[Keithie]

^ exactly that ...was thinking hollow first after taking the worst of the corners off then maybe leaving augur inside the piece when rounding (or is that particularly dangerous?) and trying some test pieces first in softwood.

Long boring kit seems a bit limited with just 5/8 diameter, I've not tried forstner plus extension, but long augur drill bits (460mm) seem available, if expensive.

I guess wood weathering stability is the first piority (so maybe oak, sapele, cedar etc) then tone, price & workability (no point hanging premium bassoon wood out in the rain!).

 

[sunnybob]

I would suggest checking with the intended recipient before making them. theres a set in our next door but one neighbours garden and pretty soon I'm going to find out if they are 12 bore proof.
20 times more aggravating than loud music, because at least you can tap your foot to loud music.

 

[NazNomad]

I would suggest checking with the intended recipient before making them. theres a set in our next door but one neighbours garden and pretty soon I'm going to find out if they are 12 bore proof.
20 times more aggravating than loud music, because at least you can tap your foot to loud music.

I'm sure the neighbours won't hear them through the Lleylandii hedge. :-D

 

[Keithie]

^ lol ...the neighbours here are horses ...far too busy eating the escallonia hedge and lower oak tree branches to worry about dissonance!