Tuned Musical Wind Chimes by Davis Blanchard

1 Stainless steel ring.

2 The molded UV resistant top plate is extremely durable, will not warp or crack, outlasts wood, nor needs any type of treatment. Its smooth hard surface helps to reflect and amplify the music.

3 Nickel plated brass crimp sleeves attach the cord to the molded UV resistant plates.

4 Stainless steel washer adds support for sleeve attachment to the top plate.

5 The UV weather resistant black 300 pound test braided polyester cord (say Dacron) endures many years of harsh outdoor conditions. It is very resistant to abrasion, and many times thicker and stronger than anything other wind chime makers use. Guaranteed to last!

6 Internal suspension of the tubes delivers more action and resonance, less wear, and a sleek appearance. It is the most effective and attractive method for least damping of the tube's vibration, and avoids the abrasion of passing the cord through the holes in the tube. It allows the tube to swing with no directional restriction. Galvanized wire pins attach the cord internally and are bent in the middle to allow the cord to center itself. This is the original internal pinned suspension method devised by Stephen Burnham in the very early 1980's. All other wind chime makers using this method have borrowed the concept from him or his successors (including myself). Stephen licensed to me the method in 1983.

7 The fundamental nodes are found at 22.421% of the length from each end of open end tubes. This is where the fundamental tone vibrates the least and where to suspend the tubes so as to avoid damping the vibration as much as possible and permit their full resonant potential. This is the attachment point of the internal wire pin. The holes are drilled so that the top of the hole, the place of contact with the pin, is the exact node point.

8 The antinodes are found at both ends of an open end tube and also at the midpoint of the length. This is where the fundamental tone vibrates the most and where not to suspend the tube, so as to avoid damping the vibration. But it is where the tube should be struck to activate vibration. The midpoint is the best antinode for uniform resonance and controllable action. The tubes are arranged in vertical symmetry so that the clapper strikes all their midpoints. It is spaced vertically in the center of the length of the cord to maximize the pendulum energy for strike force.

9 The eight 1 inch diameter silvery galvanized US Steel tubes (EMT quality for superior outdoor durability) produce a brighter tone more resonant and articulate than aluminum of the same size. They are precision tuned electronically to perfect harmonic tones with the ancient Just Intonation tuning system for bright pristine melodies and countless musical expressions. They are arranged, using a complex mathematical algorithm I derived with Mathematica, to attain a level balance for avoiding a lopsided action with the clapper.

10 The extra large wind catcher moves with the slightest breezes. I sign each one on the opposite side of the graphics, and include the name and notes of the tuning. I can also hand engrave up to 10 words for your custom message at each product page.

11 (Not Shown) Directly above the wind catcher is a swivel snap to release tension on the cord when strong winds cause the wind catcher to spin. The snap may be opened to remove the wind catcher in turbulent wind conditions. Above the swivel snap is a 6 inch length of black vinyl tubing to protect the lower cord from abrasion against the metal tubes in strong winds.

Notes: For awhile I used the top spreader suspension ring (made popular by Stephen Burnham) in various designs to hang the tubes. The advantage in this is a longer and more effective pendulum. The disadvantages are the use of more hanging cord, loss of sound amplification, and loss of structural stability. I also favored Stephen's idea of an aerodynamic wind catcher, V-shaped or box kite type. What I discovered is that this works well in moderate steady breezes but stalls out in lighter and inconsistent breezes as encountered in many small backyards. The flat type I now use will spin and release, instead of stalling out. For more on wind chime design see http://home.fuse.net/engineering/Chimes.htm.