How To Magnetize Stuff

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deus402
  • By: deus402
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  • Updated: 12-Jul-09
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  • Added: 03-Feb-08

A simple project that can be built with common household items in under 10 minutes that will permanantly magnetize steel items such as screwdrivers. This project uses 120V AC current, so be careful! I didn't insulate the wires, but if you were to touch the bare wires it would give you quite the shock, possibly even killing you.

This method was invented by William Sturgeon, who made the first solenoid in 1823, and found that he could magnetize ferrous metals with it. Soft iron loses its magnetism readily, while hard steel tends to retain its magnetism. It works because the voltage in the coil creates a magnetic field which aligns the atoms in the in the steel screwdriver. The orientation of the atoms is called the domain.

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How To Magnetize Stuff

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  • How to Magnatize Stuff

    I understand that the black wire and the wire from one end of the coil are attached to one of the screws. I am not clear on the attachments from the white power wire and the wire from the other end of the coil and the second screw.

    By morgie2 1219852728 Reply Spam [+1] Moderate Up Moderate Down
    • Wiring

      Ok, here's how it goes...

      One end of the coil wire is connected to the first screw.
      The other end of the coil wire is connected to the white wire on the power cable.
      The black wire from the power cable is connected to the second screw.
      The aluminum foil completes the circuit, but acts as a circuit breaker, allowing the current to flow long enough to magnetize your item, then it burns up in a spectacular manner.

      There is a close up of the wiring around 2:30, it might help to pause the video and check it out.

      The black wire in 110v AC wiring is traditionally the hot wire, and the white wire is the neutral wire, but it really doesn't matter which way they are hooked up as long as you complete the circuit. The ac power cable that you use might not be color coded, especially if you use something like a cheap extension cord or a cord off of a broken appliance.

      I used a power strip so that I could plug the contraption in, and then just turn on the power strip to activate the device. just unplug the device when you are loading it and changing the foil. Also, you probably don't want to be very close to the project when you turn it on, and maybe set a jar over the fuse to keep sparks from flying. the aluminum foil is instantly vaporized, so its at least 1200 degress celsius.

      By deus402 1219881896 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • how strong?

    HOw strong would it make something such as the steel like the screwdriver and how long would it last?

    By Chrome34845 1236530852 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
    • How Strong?

      I'm not sure specifically how strong it is, but the more windings you have the better results you will get. The screwdriver I magnetized was strong enough to easily hold a screw on the head, and is still magnetized. No magnets stay magnetized forever, but once you magnetize something with this procedure, you can consider it a "permanent" magnet. There are plenty of ways that it can become demagnetized however, both through regular use or intentionally.

      By deus402 1236561563 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • 120V AC Current

    It wouldn't kill you, i've been hit with more power and current then that. It really hurts though, but if you have no hair gel try it!!!

    By Nat78 1226270691 Reply Spam [-1] Moderate Up Moderate Down
    • 120V AC Current

      Well, it won't probably won't kill you, but it can. I have shocked myself plenty of times with 120, but there is the possibility that it could casue Ventricular interference, respiratory difficulty, or Ventricular fibrillation, all of which could lead to a fatality. It is a really bad idea to expose yourself to electric shock on purpose.

      By deus402 1226271327 Reply Spam [+1] Moderate Up Moderate Down
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