Technical help/advice needed

[+Nia]

This is for a geocaching idea i have.

 

I would like to make some 'lumps' of metal magnetic, probably flat and about 150mm square.

 

1. what is the best metal .... iron?

2. how do i do it.

3. how long will it last ...

 

from science i did at school 30 years ago i remember somethink about puttin the metal inside a coil and the passig a current thru it, but i need a lot more detail/help

 

Thanks

[+brdad]

Yes, basically the process just involves wrapping some heavy guage wire several times around an iron core (soft steel will work), then apply a high current through the wire.

 

I have done this before with .75 inch steel rods, usually using a wire about #2 or heavier, wrapping it tightly around the rod to cover the length.

 

Then using heavy jumper cables hooked to a car battery behind some type of barrier (the battery could blow up after all, but never has to me yet), hook up to the wire leads on the iron piece. Leave connected until the wire gets hot or is smoking, then cool down and repeat a few times. Check battery periodically, if it is hot give it a few hours to cool down.

 

I'm not sure on a flat square piece of metal how the poles will be formed, I would guess opposite edges would be north/south.

 

All the magnets I made seemed to last, heat and being hit hard will degrade a magnet so how and where it will be used makes a difference. They were not as strong a a commercial magnet of that size might be.

 

Save our forests, wipe your *** with a tree-hugger.

[Ben Pid]

see below.

[Ben Pid]

Hi Nia.

 

I think your talking about Electro Magnetism....the thing where the particles..Atoms....vibrate and become magnetic. From what I learnt less than 2years ago it doesnt last long.

 

Perhaps you could explain a little more indepth about what it is you are trying to do and everyone can offer more help...perhaps alternatives or more suggestions or something.

 

All the best

 

Pid

 

Ben Piddington http://www.buckscaching.co.uk

[+Nia]

Thanks for the comments.

 

Soft steel rods would be ok, How can i get some.

also what does #2 wire mean (2mm diameter?)

 

without giving too much away they will be put into some geocaches, i'm planning on placing.

 

If it all works out they will be part of a multicach in the New Forest.

[+brdad]

I wasn't paying attention, did not realize I was posting to England forum! But magnets work from either shore!

 

Anyway, #2 wire is #2AWG (American Wire Guage). This is equal to 6.554 mm diameter. It does not have to be exact, just make sure it's at least this big. And make sure it is copper wire and that is is insulated. This wire is sold commonly here for grounding electrical systems in houses.

 

Both the wire and the steel rod can be bought over here at most building supply stores. If not, the wire can be bought from anyone who sells electrical parts for houses, and the steel rod can be bought from any steel supply where you would buy plate steel and pipe.

 

Save our forests, wipe your *** with a tree-hugger.

[+brdad]

I wasn't paying attention, did not realize I was posting to England forum! But magnets work from either shore!

 

Anyway, #2 wire is #2AWG (American Wire Guage). This is equal to 6.554 mm diameter. It does not have to be exact, just make sure it's at least this big. And make sure it is copper wire and that is is insulated. This wire is sold commonly here for grounding electrical systems in houses.

 

Both the wire and the steel rod can be bought over here at most building supply stores. If not, the wire can be bought from anyone who sells electrical parts for houses, and the steel rod can be bought from any steel supply where you would buy plate steel and pipe.

 

Save our forests, wipe your *** with a tree-hugger.

[+brdad]

I just thought about, depending on what your intentions are:

 

A pre-made magnet can be bought called a "cow magnet". They are fed to cows to trap any metal they may eat to prevent illness. They are 12-15 mm diameter and about 60 mm long, with rounded ends and quite strong.

 

They can be bought at most any farm supply, as well as some scientific stores.

 

Save our forests, wipe your *** with a tree-hugger.

[crr003]

quote:

---

Originally posted by brdad:

 

A pre-made magnet can be bought called a "cow magnet". They are fed to cows to trap any metal they may eat to prevent illness. They are 12-15 mm diameter and about 60 mm long, with rounded ends and quite strong.

_

---

 

brdad,

 

In my constant search for knowledge, I've got to ask - how does this work? The magnet attracts ferrous material and passes through the animal, taking the bad metal out? What about aluminum?

 

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

[crr003]

quote:

---

Originally posted by brdad:

 

A pre-made magnet can be bought called a "cow magnet". They are fed to cows to trap any metal they may eat to prevent illness. They are 12-15 mm diameter and about 60 mm long, with rounded ends and quite strong.

_

---

 

brdad,

 

In my constant search for knowledge, I've got to ask - how does this work? The magnet attracts ferrous material and passes through the animal, taking the bad metal out? What about aluminum?

 

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

[+brdad]

quote:

---

Originally posted by crr003:

In my constant search for knowledge, I've got to ask - how does this work? The magnet attracts ferrous material and passes through the animal, taking the bad metal out? What about aluminum?

---

 

Well, first of all, unless the cows are being hand fed aluminum, they will not get much of it through their system. The metals that cows eat come from old nails, fencing, staples and other metal left in the grass by previous generations of farmers. Fortunately, aluminum is just not a common item to be found buried in the grass on a farm.

 

The magnet does not take any metal out of the cow. Instead it traps it in the cow's first stomach (they have four). The magnet it is heavy enough so it does not get brought back up by regurgitation, so it stays there for the life of the cow. Some of the metal may dissolve some over time, but most of it stays right there.

 

Save our forests, wipe your *** with a tree-hugger.

[+brdad]

quote:

---

Originally posted by crr003:

In my constant search for knowledge, I've got to ask - how does this work? The magnet attracts ferrous material and passes through the animal, taking the bad metal out? What about aluminum?

---

 

Well, first of all, unless the cows are being hand fed aluminum, they will not get much of it through their system. The metals that cows eat come from old nails, fencing, staples and other metal left in the grass by previous generations of farmers. Fortunately, aluminum is just not a common item to be found buried in the grass on a farm.

 

The magnet does not take any metal out of the cow. Instead it traps it in the cow's first stomach (they have four). The magnet it is heavy enough so it does not get brought back up by regurgitation, so it stays there for the life of the cow. Some of the metal may dissolve some over time, but most of it stays right there.

 

Save our forests, wipe your *** with a tree-hugger.

[Ben Pid]

Hi Nia...

 

About the New Forest idea...I would think twice about that one, there has been controvesery surrounding it before if you look at earlier threads. Also after doing you cache in the middle of several HUNDRED THOUSAND Fir trees near Silverstone I would give forests a wide birth if I were you. HeHe

 

Out of interest...Why did you plant a cache right in the middle of that place? its deadly.

 

Pid

 

Ben Piddington http://www.buckscaching.co.uk

[crr003]

Thanks brdad,

 

I learn something new every day. Now I've just got to figure a way to use this in a conversation

 

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

[crr003]

Thanks brdad,

 

I learn something new every day. Now I've just got to figure a way to use this in a conversation

 

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

[Team Tate]

if you plan to make your own. I've seen what an exploding battery can do - and it aint pretty!

 

Another idea for getting high strength magnets - try and find some old three-phase industrial motors at a scrap yard - preferably ones that have been used to move some of machinery. You could probably pick them up for a few quid, take the magnets out, and then sell the coils and case back to the scrap yard.

 

Sorry to be the safety bore, but someone has to do it!

 

Team Tate

 

Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

[+Nia]

Thanks for all the advice, It sounds more complecated and dangerous than I first thought, so this idea has now been abandoned, in favour of a new one needing 35mm film containers (see seperate topic)