How to Build Wind Chimes With PVC Pipe

Wind chimes offer soothing sounds from outside the house.

However, these chimes resist weather much better, and they last for years. You only need a few basic supplies and tools to complete this project.

1. Select a diameter of PVC pipe that you want to use. The larger the pipe, the deeper the sounds it makes.

2. Place the pipe into a miter box that has slits for both 90- and 45-degree cuts.

3. Cut the following lengths of pipe with a saw: 14 inches (2), 13 inches, 11 inches, 9 inches and 7 inches.

4. Set one of the 14-inch pieces aside for now.

5. Cut one end of the remaining pipes to a 45-degree angle, using the miter box to guide you.

6. Sand the other end of each pipe with 80-grit sandpaper to prepare it for glue.

7. Apply PVC glue into five end caps, then insert the sanded ends of the pipes into them. Wipe off any excess glue with a paper towel and let the glue dry.

8. Drill a 1/8-inch hole through the center of each cap.

9. Thread a piece of string through one of the end caps. Extend it all the way out of the bottom of a chime and tie a large knot. Pull the knot back into the chime and cut the string at a length of 12 inches.

10. Repeat Step 9 for the other four chimes.

11. Measure one inch into the last 14-inch pipe and make a mark with a pencil. Make another mark every 3 inches along the pipe, five in total at 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13 inches.

12. Drill a hole through the pipe at each mark.

13. Thread each chime string through the holes that you drilled in the pipe and tie them off on top with a large knot. This allows the chimes to hang below this pipe.

14. Cut a 45-inch piece of string and thread it through the pipe. Tie the ends together to form a loop, and hang it from a hook somewhere that the chimes will catch the wind.