I have been wanting to repair some of my wind chimes so this new year I decided to get it done. Out of about 14 that needed some kind of work done to them, I have completed 5 so far. Most of them only needed new string but some needed a little more TLC.

These 2 were identical but now are a little different.


#3


#4


#5


Next time I take pictures of the others, I will have to find a better place besides the door of the filing cabinet. I need to go shopping for different string and a few other little things to help with repairs.

Has anyone else repaired their wind chimes?

Jeanne - I have not done any repair but I do have some in the shop that need work. You have done a phenomenal job with yours! They are so pretty

I have some windchimes that need some TLC too. That would be a good project for this winter.

Thanks Vic and Karen. Winter is the perfect time to repair garden decor especially here where it is freezing cold.

I have to go looking for some thin nylon thread to use on some that have smaller holes. I have to also go buy a similar kind of pipe. I have 2 home made ones that need fixing. One is from DH's Uncle and not sure where the other one came from. Probably a garage sale. One of them is missing one tube and the other is missing 3 tubes. These 2 homemade ones have heavier pipe than the others. I hope I can find material local without having to drive an hour one way.

Would fishing line work for your thread or would it be too stiff?

I started using fishing line myself. I've found the "fabricy-y" string dry rots on me after a year or so and I have to redo it again.

I did try fishing line but it stayed somewhat curled up and didn't hang straight. I found some smaller yellow nylon masonry line. It states that it won't rot so we'll see. I finished one chime with it and like it the best so far. It has such a nice chime tone. I will post a picture of it tomorrow. I didn't find anything to use to replace the missing chimes so I will continue to look. Guess I will have to drive the one hour one way to Menards. But I may check out a few more places locally first.

I got some kind of tubing at Hobby Lobby and had my Dad cut one and drill holes in it.

I've seen replacements made with copper and stainless tubing and steel rod as well. Requires some experimentation to get them tuned properly.

Thanks Ham and Mac. I'm going to try a lumber yard 35 min. away and see if they have anything. If not, I will have to make a longer trip to a bigger city to Menards or Hobby Lobby, maybe even Home Depot.

Thanks Vic for the acorn a ways back. I was just cleaning the garage and came across what I think is some cord used to string trout lines. It is a white thin cord, and I am pretty sure it would hold up to the weather.

A lumber yard "might" have the hollow tubing if they have a hardware section. Farm stores are a good source if you have one nearby.

I checked at a Village Farm and Home in our nearest town but them and the hardware store only had threaded short pipe for like plumbing, I think. I'd like to get something in at least 8' length. I need about 5' of the heavier one in several different lengths that we will have to cut. Some place has got to have what I am looking for, right? I'll keep you posted on whether I find it or not. Thanks for the suggestions.

Steel conduit, EMT, might be an option though I've never tried it. Comes in 10' lengths and a variety of diameters. I hope you can find what you need Jeanne.

Here is the last wind chime that I did yesterday. I like this one the best so far. I still need to cut the stings at the top. I super glued the knots so they would not undo.

Looks great Jeanne .

Love it

I just finished this one but will put a different pendulum in it cause it seems a little too big plus it goes to another chime that I am redoing. I have about 4 more ready to put back together. In a few minutes DH and I are going to town to look for pipes that will work for the chimes.


The chime tune sounds good without the pendulum.

Oh, I like that one

I have posted pictures of the first 7 wind chimes that I fixed. I have finished 5 more since then. I have 7 left to do of which 5 are some of my very favorite and sound the best.

Here are the last 5 that I finished.














My yard is going to sound so wonderful when I am out there working. I will have to put my favorites in the areas where I will be spending most of my time.