• lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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        1 year ago

        Putting a tool in a powered coil will magnetize it temporarily but I don’t think it will stay magnetic or at least not for long. They sell little magnetizers that you can get cheap that will last a lot longer though if that’s what you’re looking for…

        I have one like this around somewhere that worked well when I tried it.

        https://www.amazon.com/Ullman-No-Specialty-Magnetizer-Demagnetizer/dp/B00829S1JI/ref=sr_1_13?keywords=magnetizer&qid=1694044940&sr=8-13

        • Brownian Motion@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Depending on the coils number of windings, and the size of the tool it will magnetise it pretty well. I used to do this to screwdrivers before they came pre-magnetised. And they will stay magnetised for a very long time.

          Most of the time the reason for becoming demagnetised is due to dropping the tool several (many) times.

        • cmnybo
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          1 year ago

          I’ve had good results discharging a 450V 1kJ capacitor bank through several turns of 10 AWG wire. If you don’t have a capacitor bank laying around, one of those magnetizers will work just as well.

        • nothacking
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          1 year ago

          Really? If have had good results just placing a screwdriver inside an electromagnet, still magnetized a few years later.

          • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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            1 year ago

            Maybe it depends on the coil/power source. When I tried it I was just messing around with a coil I had and 12v source and it was not that effective.

    • lossykittens@reddthat.comOP
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      1 year ago

      Apologies for not being clearer. What I mean to describe is a magnetizer - something that you might put a metal tool through to make it magnetic

  • smpl
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    1 year ago

    Or you could pick up an iron rod and strike a firehydrant like MacGyver.

  • beeng
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    1 year ago

    I magnetize screw drivers with just a normal magnet. What’s your usecase to need such a big magnet?

  • nothacking
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    1 year ago

    Any strong magnet can magnetize other things, depending on the material. Iron can be relatively easily be magnetized, while neodymium magnets require a huge (but obtainable) field.

    That looks like a big electromagnet, from a motor, it will probably work, but you have to feed it DC, not AC. (Or else the object will be demagnetized when removed)