How to Make Wind Chimes Out of CDs

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Things You'll Need

  • Wood or metal rod, 6 inches long and 1/2 inch diameter

  • String or ribbon

  • Scissors

  • CDs

  • Spray paint

  • Super glue

  • Hammer or screwdriver

  • Nails or screws

Old or unwanted CDs make new music as a CD wind chime.

Scratched, unwanted or worn out CDs will take on new lives by crafting several of them into iridescent, lightly musical wind chimes. This trash-to-treasure recycling project is not labor intensive and costs little to nothing to create, thanks to using common household materials. Whether the finished chimes are hung outside to catch a breeze or indoors near a window, the sound and rainbow-like reflection will brighten any area in the home.

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Step 1

Spray paint the rod with the color of your choice. The CDs will show a prism of rainbow colors from the light that they reflect, so think about a color for the rod that will complement the dimensions of the CD colors as well as the space where you will be hanging the wind chime. Allow an hour for the painted rod to dry completely.

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Step 2

Use two CDs at a time and add super glue to the labeled sides of CDs. Press two CDs together at a time once super glue has been added. You will create several two-sided mirror disks once the sets of CDs are glued together. Allow ten minutes for the CDs to dry completely.

Step 3

Cut ribbon or string into strips that vary between lengths of six inches and twelve inches.

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Step 4

Thread one end of each strip of ribbon or string through the holes in each two-sided mirror CD disk. Pull the thread through until half the thread is through the hole.

Step 5

Attach the threaded ribbon or string to the rod by using super glue to glue the loose ends of each thread to the rod. Start on one end of the rod and fill it with ribbons or thread attached to CDs until they run the entire length of the rod. CDs will dangle from the rod and hit each other, making chiming sounds.

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Step 6

Tie a strand of string or ribbon securely around the center point (or center of balanced weight) of the rod. Suspend the rod to the ceiling of a room or the roof of a porch by drilling a screw or hammering a nail through the end of the ribbon or string opposite the rod and then through a secure part of the overhead platform, such as a beam or a stud.

Tip

Cover the surface you will be spray painting on to prevent it from staining.

Warning

Super glue is a very strong adhesive so use caution when you apply the glue to the CDs.

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