Step 1: Gather Materials and Tools

Materials:

• Stainless steel tubes (304 or 316 grade for corrosion resistance and a shiny silver finish)
• Support frame (wood or metal)
• Suspension cords (nylon or rubber) or mounts
• Adhesive or welding materials (optional)

Tools:

• Pipe cutter or hacksaw
• Metal file or deburring tool
• Digital tuner or pitch pipe
• Measuring tape and marker
• Polishing cloth and metal polish
• Drill (optional for mounting)

Step 2: Select Tube Specifications

Choose tubes with appropriate diameter and wall thickness. For example:

• Diameter: 1–2 inches (25–50 mm) for clear tones.
• Wall thickness: 1–2 mm for balanced resonance.

Longer tubes produce lower pitches, while shorter tubes produce higher pitches. The silver finish of stainless steel is naturally achieved with 304/316 grades.

Step 3: Calculate Tube Lengths for Pitch Accuracy

Use the formula for the fundamental frequency of an open tube:

f = v / (2L)

Where:

• f = desired frequency (Hz)
• v = speed of sound (approximately 343 m/s in air)
• L = tube length (meters)

Rearrange to find L:

L = v / (2f)

For example, to produce a C4 note (261.63 Hz):

L = 343 / (2 × 261.63) ≈ 0.656 meters (65.6 cm)

Calculate lengths for each desired note in your scale (e.g., C, D, E, F, G, A, B).

Step 4: Cut and Prepare Tubes

1. Measure and mark the calculated lengths on the tubes.
2. Cut using a pipe cutter or hacksaw for precision.
3. Deburr the edges with a metal file to ensure smooth, safe ends.
4. Clean and polish the tubes with a polishing cloth and metal polish to enhance the silver finish.

Step 5: Tune the Tubes

Test each tube’s pitch by striking it gently with a mallet or metal striker.

1. Use a digital tuner to check the fundamental frequency.
2. If the pitch is too low, shorten the tube slightly by cutting or filing.
3. If the pitch is too high, you may need a longer tube (restart with a new tube).
4. Repeat until each tube matches the desired note within ±5 cents for accuracy.

Step 6: Assemble the Instrument

Arrange the tubes in pitch order (e.g., low to high) on a frame.

1. Suspension method: Drill small holes near the top of each tube (at the node, about 22.4% from each end) and thread nylon cords to hang them.
2. Mounting method: Secure tubes to a frame with rubber mounts or adhesive to minimize damping.
3. Ensure tubes can vibrate freely for optimal resonance.

Step 7: Final Testing and Debugging

Test the assembled instrument:

• Strike each tube and verify pitch accuracy with a tuner.
• Check for unwanted buzzing or damping. Adjust suspension or mounts if needed.
• Play a scale or melody to ensure tonal consistency.

If any tube is off-pitch, re-tune by adjusting its length or replacing it.

Step 8: Polish and Maintain

Polish the tubes regularly with a stainless steel cleaner to maintain the silver shine. Store in a dry environment to prevent tarnishing.