Does anybody know how to build an electromagnet?

[Chekhonte]

my GF and I want to build a ferrofluid sculpture. We'll need a pretty damn powerful electromagnet to make it work. The problem is where the hell do we get a powerful but inexpensive electromagnet. I'm hoping that we can build one. Is this something that a total amature can pull off?

[Pars]

Someplace like this
American Science & Surplus : Search Results for "electromagnet"

[Chekhonte]

it's going to have to be way more powerful than one you'd make with a couple of batteries and some magnetic wire. I'll probably have to find a decent volt dc power converter. I might be able to find an old laptop power supply somewhere. I'd like for somebody to tell me what to do so I don't kill myself by making a mistake.

[Pars]

Ask KG... he would know.

[JBLoudG20]

Originally Posted by Chekhonte

my GF and I want to build a ferrofluid sculpture. We'll need a pretty damn powerful electromagnet to make it work. The problem is where the hell do we get a powerful but inexpensive electromagnet. I'm hoping that we can build one. Is this something that a total amature can pull off?

How inexpensive?

Electromagnets on A.P.W. Company

[Chekhonte]

the four inch one is 160 dollars which is way out of what I'm willing to spend. I can build one for for under 25 dollars magnetic wire and all.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my questions though JB.

[JBLoudG20]

Originally Posted by Chekhonte

the four inch one is 160 dollars which is way out of what I'm willing to spend. I can build one for for under 25 dollars magnetic wire and all.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my questions though JB.

Do you need a magnet that will pull 400+ pounds? I saw some that will pull 50lbs that were about $40. I have no idea how much power you need.

[Chekhonte]

YouTube - Ferrofluid

[Spiug31]

just a thought, have you considered visiting your local scrap yards and see what magnets they may have on the cheap ?

Is there a specific reason you are wanting to use an electromagnet rather than a permanent one ?

Looking at "http://scitation.aip.org/phf/gallery/2003-lorenz.jsp" you may be looking for magnets capable of exerting 100G for the ferrofluid to perform.

Spoiler warning: the following link shows lab procedure and results (on page 7) found by exposing ferrofluid to different strengths of magnetic fields.
http://www.nsec.ohio-state.edu/teach...tic_Fields.pdf

It looks like a fun subject for a project

[kevin gilmore]

what you want is half of the electromagnet pictured here to do the
tricks you want.
http://gilmore.chem.northwestern.edu/electromagnet.jpg

A couple of little details. 4 Tesla inside the gap. Weight of magnet
4300 lbs. Runs on a DC amplifier that is up to 60 volts at 25 amperes.
WATER COOLED...

I have an old 3000 lb magnet from a VG sector instrument. You can
have it for free. You pay for shipping, or your pick it up. Weighs about
2500 lbs. Also needs water cooling.

[Chekhonte]

Originally Posted by Spiug31

just a thought, have you considered visiting your local scrap yards and see what magnets they may have on the cheap ?

Is there a specific reason you are wanting to use an electromagnet rather than a permanent one ?

Looking at "http://scitation.aip.org/phf/gallery/2003-lorenz.jsp" you may be looking for magnets capable of exerting 100G for the ferrofluid to perform.

Spoiler warning: the following link shows lab procedure and results (on page 7) found by exposing ferrofluid to different strengths of magnetic fields.
http://www.nsec.ohio-state.edu/teach...tic_Fields.pdf

It looks like a fun subject for a project

I would lik an electromagnet because you can adjust the field strength with out moving the magnet. I did buy a bunch of the largest neodymium magnets I could find on the web just in case my dreams of an electromagnet don't come true.

Originally Posted by kevin gilmore

what you want is half of the electromagnet pictured here to do the
tricks you want.
http://gilmore.chem.northwestern.edu/electromagnet.jpg

A couple of little details. 4 Tesla inside the gap. Weight of magnet
4300 lbs. Runs on a DC amplifier that is up to 60 volts at 25 amperes.
WATER COOLED...

I have an old 3000 lb magnet from a VG sector instrument. You can
have it for free. You pay for shipping, or your pick it up. Weighs about
2500 lbs. Also needs water cooling.

That is a generous offer kevin but I just can't afford to even pick it up let alone the massive DC power supply that it must take.

[Chekhonte]

Kevin, you seem like a guy who's seen a lot of tools in your day. Can you identify the type of drill or boring bit that is used in this video--or if it even a bit at all?

YouTube - Sachiko Kodama, Yasushi Miyajima...

[n_maher]

I don't think those are drill bits.

[Chekhonte]

damn, that means that she machined them. Fucking engineers!

I thought that it may be some type of step drill bit or reamer.

[grawk]

I would have assumed that was an animation, rather than live video.

[kevin gilmore]

That may or may not be a custom machined piece. It is certainly
not a step drill bit, that would be concentric circles. There is a reamer
bit for 1.5 inch or so iron pipe that looks a lot like that.

maybe the tip of something like this
http://burlington.craigslist.org/tls/902589360.html

[Chekhonte]

fuck yes! thanks again kevin. I found a rusty on with a 2 1/8 inch base for 25 bucks after shipping. I think I can clean it up, take out the bit and wrap some magnet wire around the post and turn the thing into an electromagnet.

[kevin gilmore]

plan on an entire can of wd-40 to get that thing clean.

[Chekhonte]

don't worry, I drink a can of wd-40 whenever i start a project like this.

[manaox2]

Keep posting, the results sound interesting.