So many times we throw out our old silverplated
eating utensils and buy new and shiny sets to replace them. These old pieces
have a history in our families. They were used every day when the kids
were growing up or when you and your mate were sharing a meal with each
other. The silverware may be twenty or thirty years old or more and they
are thrown in the trash without a care. Why not make them into something
that will give you pleasure for the many years yet ahead of you? Make the
old silverware into wind chimes!
Even
if we don’t have the old pieces anymore we can still buy old silverplate
at garage sales, secondhand stores and flea markets for a pittance and
enjoy their pleasant tinkling ourselves or make wind chimes for others
to enjoy. Sell them if you wish or give them away, we can never have too
many stress relieving things surrounding us.
Check
a search engine like Google.com for
ideas. It has an image feature that will give pictures of what others are
doing. eBay has some great pictures
of chimes for sale that may inspire you!
Let’s
see if we can do a fairly simple project. You could add a windcatcher and
striker or glass beads on your next attempt.
Pick
up an old worn silver-plate serving dish to hang the silverware pieces
from. A bowl or something similar could be used. Try not to get one that
is too large for your creation, the pieces should be close enough to each
other that a striker isn’t needed. The forks, spoons, and knives should
produce sounds by lightly striking against each other.
Get everything you’ll need in one place. Heavy
monofilament line such as fifty-pound test can be found in the sporting
goods section of a department store. This line will be used to suspend
the upper plate that holds the silverware. Or you could use light stainless
steel link chain and four stainless steel “S” hooks along with a larger
“S” hook to suspend the whole thing from. These things can be bought at
a home improvement store or hardware store. Brass wire heavy enough to
bear the weight of chime components may be found in craft stores. Lighter
monofilament line, such as ten-pound test, can be used to suspend the individual
knives, forks, and spoons.
Use a center punch or sharp nail to put a dimple
at four points around the edge of the plate. They should be 90 degrees
apart like 12 noon, three, six and nine on a clock. These dimples will
keep your drill bit from wandering around when you start drilling.
Wear goggles and start drilling slowly with
a bit just big enough to accommodate the monofilament line or “S” hooks.
Perhaps one sixteenth of an inch bit. Use Wd-40, lamp oil, kerosene or
similar light oil on the dimple where you will be drilling, so the drill
bit will last longer.
The
monofilament line is then tied to the plate and the “S” hook. The chain
is cut 6 to 8 inches long and attached to the smaller “S” hooks around
the rim of the plate and the other ends are put on the large “S” hook.
Drill
a series of small holes in the plate around the plate so there is a single
hole for each piece of silverware in a circular pattern. There should be
at least two or maybe three concentric circles in the plate. Knives or
forks may then be placed in the outer circle of holes with forks in the
next ring in. Spoons being shortest may be used in the innermost circle.
Or put the spoons on the outer part followed by forks and knives in the
center. It’s whatever you like.
You
may then drill a small hole in each piece of silverware in the handle,
about one quarter inch from the top. A piece of monofilament is passed
through the hole and a small loop is tied, a double square knot is useful
here. Pass the other end of the string through your previously drilled
holes in the plate and temporarily tie it with a big enough knot that it
doesn’t slip back through the hole. Check the chime for balance when all
the chimes are in place. Ideally the plate should be as level as you can
make it. Be patient this part can take some time to get right. The chains
or suspension monofilament lines may be retied to help achieve this balance.
You may have to rejigger the configuration by drilling a few more holes
in the plate. Put the pieces close enough together or allow enough string
length so that the pieces will contact each other in a wind. Closer together
if you want them to ring in a slight wind, farther apart if you only want
to hear them in a stronger wind.
Some
people modify their silverware before hanging. Forks and spoons are flattened,
with fork tines twisted or bent at angles. If you decide to flatten spoons,
remember that the metal is soft and easily marked or dented. An old hammer
and anvil will have dents in their surfaces that will transfer imperfections
to the silverware. You could use a hammer and put the spoons and forks
between two pieces of hardwood to prevent damage. Fork tines are
easily broken so if you bend them, have extras on hand.
When
everything is to your satisfaction, permanently tie the monofilament and
secure every knot with a drop of super glue. Monofilament line is a little
slippery and may untie over time if you don’t add a drop of glue.
Now you may hang the chime!
