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wind chimes that don't chime, they clunk

Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:15 pm
by wharrel
I am new to fusing and I have made some 2 layer chimes. Some chime (nice clear tone when struck) and some don't. Is there a set of rules for this or is there a fool proof way to make the chimes chime. Thanks

Re: wind chimes that don't chime, they clunk

Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:48 pm
by Mike Jordan
There is some very good information on the internet about making wind chimes and having them sound just about anyway you want. Here is a couple of links to some good info:
http://home.fuse.net/engineering/Chimes.htm
http://www.reocities.com/teeley2/chimeart.html

And even a program to do a lot of the figuring for you:
http://www.vicsstuff.com/chimedesign/#Software

You can google making wind chimes and get a lot of hits. What I did my research on was making a glass Xylophone, which uses the same principles as making in tune sounding wind chimes. It was really interesting how you figure out the length, width, thickness and where you put the holes for the string or what ever it is you use to hang them. I bought a in-expensive cord tuner used to tune a guitar or piano and I made glass bars for a Xylophone that actually hit the proper keys... of course there is more to it than just hitting the right notes for it to sound good, but I was in the ballpark. Glass is a little harder to tune though as compared to wood or metal, since when it's fused it can change from the exact measurements needed.

Anyway, the above information should give you more information that you need, but it's interesting as well.

Mike

Re: wind chimes that don't chime, they clunk

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:18 pm
by wharrel
Wow thanks Mike that is a lot of information. Never expected that strong a response.

Re: wind chimes that don't chime, they clunk

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:06 pm
by Jeanne
In my experience, which is not as technical as those noted - I have found that the smaller the piece, the lighter the sound. My fused pieces are generally just a 3mm base with accents on top. My chimes have both fused and regular stained glass pieces. When I make a chime with small pieces (about 2"), it tends to sound like crystal glasses being toasted. Larger pieces have a 'heavier' sound (i.e. lower pitched).

Re: wind chimes that don't chime, they clunk

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:27 pm
by Cate G
I have been making chimes for about 5 years now, and they all chime pretty well. Most I make with 2 layers, and the pieces are from 1" to 1 3/4" wide and varying lengths of 2" to 8" long. I find the smaller the piece of glass, the less they chime. They sort of click. But I always have varying lengths in the whole piece. My single layer chimes have a more musical sound, though.
Cate

Re: wind chimes that don't chime, they clunk

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 1:10 pm
by wharrel
Thanks for your help. I filled my kiln with different sizes of 2 layer glass. Long and slender works whereas short and wide sorta clunks. I made some open rectangles that are wide but the actual sides of the rectangle are about 3/8 inch and they chime nicely. I am gonna slump over a long narrow base to get horseshoe shaped glass in various lengths. I am wondering if the semicircular shape will affect the chime. It is fun experimenting.

Re: wind chimes that don't chime, they clunk

Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 11:08 am
by wharrel
I have a picture of the different sizes of glass that will chime and those that will not. I cannot post it here. If you want to see photo email wharrel@cox.net