DIY Network

Silverware Wind Chime Create with sweet-sounding silver. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-403

Craft the ultimate silverware wind chime.

When you build a better wind chime, those summer breezes are all the sweeter. And Michele Beschen’s chimes are just the thing for a relaxing breeze.

Instead of just tying a fistful of silverware to the nearest overhang, Michele Beschen gives the classic wind chime a real B. Original twist, using metal-working techniques to flatten and alter the chime pieces. The result: a better wind chime that shows off your skills as well as your creativity.

Scroll down for the how-to, and give some new life to that old silverware.

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Silverware Wind Chime

Materials:

large serving fork
4 other pieces of silverware
vise
propane torch
hammer
drill, drill press or rotary tool
drill bit suitable for metals
monofilament
fishing swivels

Safety Alert: Do not substitute gold-plated flatware for the silver-plated flatware. The gold plating can disintegrate and even explode when heated.

• The large serving fork will serve as the center of the chime, with smaller pieces of silver as the chime pieces.

• Place all the silverware pieces on a heat-resistant surface and heat them with a propane torch. Keep the flame moving and hold it about 2" above the silverware, heating until the pieces are cherry red. Heating the pieces this way makes them much easier to bend.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B
  	Figure C

  Safety Alert: Wear eye protection and gloves when heating the silverware, and don’t handle the pieces or the hot end of the torch. Follow all fire-safety precautions, and keep children and pets away when heating the metal.

• Let the pieces cool naturally. Don’t try to hurry the cooling process.

• When the pieces are cool enough to touch, place them on a sturdy surface such as cement or an anvil. Pound them flat with a hammer (figure A).

• Use a drill press, hand drill or rotary tool to drill a small hole at the top of each handle.

• Place pieces of tape over the teeth of the pliers to protect the silver before starting to shape the serving fork.

• Use the taped pliers to gently bend one center tine of the serving fork toward the back at a 90-degree angle.

• Use the pliers to bend the other center tine in the opposite direction, 90 degrees to the front of the fork (figure B).

• Gently twist each of the remaining two tines while bending them out to the side of the fork.

• Use needle-nose pliers to curl the ends of each tine (figure C), creating a small loop in each of the tips.

• Cut a piece of monofilament fishing line and thread it through one of the serving fork loops. Tie a knot to secure. Tie the other end of line to the hole in one of the smaller silverware pieces.

• Tie on the other silverware pieces to the center fork in the same manner.

• To hang the chimes, use fishing swivels and more monofilament.

Hang up your new chime, kick back...

And wait for a breeze to serenade your creativity.