If you have ever seen water rushing down a rain chain you are sure to become a fan of this more-elegant alternative to gutter down spouts. It is quite simple to make one from some basic supplies found at the hardware store.

Materials:

42' 6-gage copper electrical wire (or ¼-inch copper ice maker tubing)
3' 6-gage bundled electrical wire
One 12" piece of 8-gage wire
3" PVC pipe (can be purchased in 4-foot lengths)

Tools:

Drill with 3/8" bit
Pliers
Wire cutters
Clamps
Rotary cutting tool
Metal file (flat)

Directions:

1. Drill ½" hole two inches from one end of PVC pipe

2. Bend end of the 6-gage copper electrical wire into right angle. Place bent end into hole in PVC.

3. Create large copper coil by tightly wrapping copper wire around pipe. Remove coil from pipe.

4. Using rotary cutting tool, cut through coil and create rings.

5. File cut in each ring to remove any burrs.

6. Link two rings together. Squeeze ring together at cut so two ends just cross (without distorting ring). Pull ring apart slightly and twist ends so that they meet in line with each other. Repeat for second ring.

7. Cut 7" strand of bundled wire. Separate strands from each other. Use individual strands to wrap a coil around joint of each ring. Crimp ends to secure coil snugly in place over joint.

8. Continue connecting rings and coiling over each joint to make chain long enough reach from your gutter to ground.

9. Cut a 10"-12" piece of 8-gage wire. Using pliers, bend it into a "V" with equal sides. Create a closed triangle by bending two ends of wire 2" over. Insert two bent ends into screw holes in your gutter originally manufactured for securing normal downspout.

10. Hang rain chain from base of "V".

Special Thanks:
Rain Chains Direct
http://www.rainchainsdirect.com