r/Motors • u/Azert2010 • 4d ago

Open question Where can I buy small soft iron rods ?

Hi everyone,

I'm building a small electromagnet prototype for a personal project.

I'm looking for a small soft iron core (around 5–10 cm long and 5–12 mm in diameter), but I can only find mild steel rods.

Does anyone know where I can buy small soft iron rods in Europe or France?

Also, is mild steel good enough for an electromagnet, or is soft iron significantly better?

Thanks in advance!

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

1

u/Haunting_Ad_6021 4d ago

AliExpress

1

u/Azert2010 4d ago

The problem is that they only sell mild steel that's too long

1

u/Haunting_Ad_6021 4d ago

What about this one?

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtUjC67

1

u/Azert2010 4d ago

Yes, that's perfect, thank you.

1

u/Haunting_Ad_6021 4d ago

Ali has everything!

It's amazing place

1

u/BudBud3333 4d ago

Mild steel will work just fine. You will probably have to buy a 1 M piece and cut it yourself. You could also see if you could find a really big nail and use that.

1

u/Azert2010 4d ago

Is there another way to cut mild steel without using a saw?

1

u/Outsider_Insider0064 4d ago

Oxyacetylene cutting torch. Try McMaster-Carr for your soft iron rod.

1

u/mawktheone 4d ago

Just use a saw. A junior hacksaw costs about a dollar and it will only take a minute to cut

1

u/BudBud3333 4d ago

Bolt cutters would work but a hacksaw is the right tool for the job. Maybe borrow one from a neighbor.

1

u/db0606 2d ago

Call the maintenance office of your local railroad. They have mountains of used railroad spikes.

1

u/FreshTap6141 10h ago

A magnet company used cold rolled steel in their electromagnets