If you have bamboo growing in your yard or garden you know how prolific it can be. Use your bamboo to make everything from garden trellises to these clever and easy to make wind chimes.
Supplies and First Cut
You will need dried, seasoned bamboo. Select a length long enough to get two 30 inch and three 15 inch pieces, plus a 20 inch piece for the "hanger." You will need twine or string, a fine toothed saw and a drill. For the first cut, go slow and use smooth movements. Bamboo is a grass and will splinter more easily than wood.
Cut Out the Clapper
Measure four inches up from the bottom of one of the 15 inch pieces. Carefully make a horizontal cut into the bamboo. Only go half way down.
Split the Bamboo
Firmly hold onto the cut bamboo in one hand, braced against a table. Using a knife, make a short, quick chop on to the edge of the bamboo (the same end where you made the horizontal cut). The bamboo should split up to the horizontal cut. Hold onto the piece, this is the "clapper" for the remaining two 15-inch pieces.
Cut the Long Pieces
Cut two 30-inch pieces of bamboo and the 20-inch piece. When in doubt, use the clapper-cut pieces as a "ruler" and make the long pieces double the length.
Drill the Holes
Drill the holes in the 20 inch piece. Start the first hole 5 inches in. Drill the holes 2 inches apart. Next, drill holes at the tops of each of the other cut pieces. You will also need to drill holes at the bottoms of the three 15 inch pieces (where you cut the clapper out). Drill the hole about a half an inch up from the bottom of the clapper cut pieces.
Drill Holes in Clapper
Drill a hole one inch up at the end of one of the clapper pieces. Repeat for the other two clappers.
Check for Splinters
On the back of the drilled pieces, check to see if the bamboo splintered. This is normal for bamboo. Use a knife or a pair of sharp scissors and cut away the splinters.
Tie on the Hanger
Cut a 2-foot length of twine. Insert the twine into the holes you drilled on the ends of the bamboo. Wrap it around a few times and tie a secure knot. Repeat on the other side.
Arrange the Pieces
Arrange the pieces in the order in which they will hang. Alternate the 15-inch pieces with the clappers and the 30-inch pieces. "Stair step" the 15-inch pieces. This is purely for aesthetics and optional.
Thread the Bamboo
Insert a length of twine through the hole you drilled at the top bamboo pole that was cut.
Thread the Clapper
Insert a 6-inch length of twine through the hole drilled in the clapper. Tie a secure knot. Tie the other end to the opposite end of the 15-inch bamboo pole.
Tie the Poles Onto the Hanger
Once all the poles are threaded and the clappers are tied onto the three 15-inch pieces, tie all the poles onto the 20-inch piece hanger. Arrange them in the order you determined before you stared to thread the poles. Hand the finished bamboo wind chime on an overhead hook on your porch and enjoy.
Wind Chimes
Find the perfect place for your wind chimes where you can hear their song indoors and out.
