Organizing our spare bicycle parts boxes lately, I stumbled upon two worn chain rings that should've been recycled long ago plus one freewheel lock ring, which is pretty useless these days as it's easier to replace the whole assembly, and at any rate I wonder if anyone replaces separate cogs now or if it's even possible? Thanks to my husband - collector of parts and unpatched tubes (who else does that?) - I now had an ensemble of rings, wire, springs from my exploded kickstand and leftover beads from a previously decorated porcelain star.
Time to be creative! I'd always adored the chimes our son had once put together, so I set about, over the course of two wine-inspired evenings, twisting, snipping, shaping, and testing the metal and beads into a tinkling mobile.
I think it turned out pretty well.
Both mobiles now grace our front porch. We hear their lovely music on windy days.
When will we see ads for your new "bicycle wind chimes" business? :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE these! So creative, and a great use of items that might otherwise become trash. I agree with Doug - you might try an Etsy page to see if others might have interest in purchasing such creations. So fun!!
ReplyDeleteWell, i also have a collection of old parts and unpatched tubes, so your husband isn't the only one who does that! The tubes will eventually be patched when the need arises, and there's a fairly sizable collection of worn out and retired too-large chain wheels sitting on my shop shelf earmarked for wind chime duty. Thanks for the pictures!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant - very creative!!
ReplyDeleteI am one of those people who keep old inner tubes. I made a purse out of some once and would like to have another go. I also cut them into strips and keep some in my panniers and use them to tie stuff to the bike. Just as good as bungee cords.
I re-use tubes for ties on our vehicle's bike rack. I love bungee cords because of the hooks, but maybe it's time to sew tubes on hooks and make my own bungee cords.
DeleteI just want to Chime in... and say cool project Annie. BTW I hang onto tubes in need of a patch for 1 I intend to a do a patch session one day and it seems smart to just do a bunch at once and 2 I have found many uses for pieces of tubing; chain stay guard, I use them at the interface between kickstand and frame to prevent scrapes and scratches, I sometimes use them as spacers when a something that clamps to my handlebars (bell, light etc) doesn't fit snug enough etc. And I have enough spare parts to make a whole family of wind chimes lol its time for me to do some house cleaning in the bike dept.
ReplyDeleteNice pun Ryan! Regarding stockpiling tubes that need to be patched, do you ever get around to patching them? My husband intends to patch them, but frankly her never does...we must have 15 tubes hanging in our basement. Then again it seems par for the course; he doesn't fill the flour bin when empty or replace the toilet paper roll under the same conditions. There are worse habits I suppose!
DeleteDo I ever get around to patching them all up in one big session.....my intent says yes I will! the results say no, sadly, I probably won't
DeleteCool wind chime, Annie. Those blue and purple beads along with the shiny copper wire really add to the visual appeal.
ReplyDeleteI too, save old tubes for all the reasons mentioned by other respondents...plus, if you have scissors, they are a lifelong source of rubber bands
Louis, I never thought about cutting the tubes into rubber bands. Thanks for the tip.
DeleteSo are worn out rubber gloves! I cut the main part into bands - useful for stopping trousers flapping amongst a host of other things.
DeleteRubber bands - that is so smart! I'll have to try that.
DeleteI enjoy the chimes, too. Did you use copper electrical wire or is that something else? Fun way to use up those parts that always seem to accumulate over the years...
ReplyDeleteI may as well join in the tube party: I keep 'em (and I'm a patcher, for sure), and when they are no longer able to be patched they get re-purposed.
My last few uses:
I was going put new handlebar wrap on for somebody, and they asked that I double-up, as they like a thicker grip on a bar. I suggested that we try "pre-wrapping" the bar with an old tube. It worked out pretty well, as it added thickness without being too mushy-feeling, and the tube didn't cost anything.
I have shovels/rakes/etc. with wooden handles that were starting to splinter. I took a tube and cut a couple of appropriately-sized sections and stretched them over the handles. If my hands are sweaty, it's a little more slippery than I'd like, but it has stopped the splinters nicely. I'm still "fine-tuning" this idea.
Anything that needs strapped down outside (for example a tarp over firewood, or I have a trailer and lawn equipment that I like to cover with a tarp) often gets a tube used for strapping/tying duties. Very effective, very cheap, and not bothered by rain. Also, it seems like critters like to chew on the cloth that surrounds regular bungee cords (or it just rots over time), so this is obviously a problem that a tube avoids.
Wolf.
Used tubes are so versatile. I love the bar wrap and handle wrap idea. So many good uses for something we take for granted and think nothing of throwing them in the trash.
DeleteYes, copper electrical wire! I collect bits and bobs so I can reuse things. You should see my collection of straps and buckles...
DeleteVery cool.
ReplyDelete