2014-09-15 (M) ESPeri.Impass

A neoprene fender washer was cut with a standard paper hole punch. One circle was made which had the original 3/32” hole so a small neoprene washer was created and a a 1/4” ID neoprene was left. Three more 1/4” diameter discs were made using the neoprene washer and hole punch.

 Punching a neoprene washer

Pieces punched from neoprene washer

A 1/4-20 brass bolt was purchased and the head was cut off using a band saw. The cut end was smoothed on a belt sander. A piece of 9/32" ID aluminum tubing was cut with a pipe cutter. The length was based on the length of the brass bolt, compass spinner, plug, and an extension spring which still needed to be constructed. The cut pipe was reamed with a phillips screwdriver which had a 9/32” diameter shaft.

 Aluminum pipe and components to go inside

Cut pipe next to components
Pipe being reamed with screwdriver

The thin brass rod was tightened between two nuts on a #4-40 threaded rod. The brass rod was tightly wound into the threads of the #4-40 threaded rod. The resulting spring was trimmed on one end.

 Tightening brass rod between two nuts

Spring wound on #4-40 threaded rod

Shaping an end with needle-nose pliers
Trimmed spring

The 1/4-20 brass segment had solder applied to the cut end. The newly wound brass spring had the trimmed end tinned with solder. The spring and threaded brass segment were joined so the heavy mass could hang by the spring.

 Solder on ends of brass pieces

Bolt piece hanging from spring
Assembled components next to aluminum tube

The magnet did not spin as freely inside the aluminum tubing which is possibly due to the induced current of the moving magnetic field. This effect can be observed by dropping a powerful magnet through a metal tube. It will fall much slower than gravity would suggest. Information can be found by researching Lenz's Law but the short story is that as the magnet moves by metal it induces a small current and electromagnetism is a direct result of current so the magnet will hug the metal and create friction.

To do:
  • Wrap longer spring with fine brass wire
  • Test + Evaluate longer spring design
  • Build tubular compass
  • Test + Evaluate tubular compass
  • Redesign, Rebuild, + Repeat
Journal Page

The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.

A list showing of all the final posts of COMPLETED projects.


This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.

All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, are not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.

All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.

Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim claim property or assets based on their post.

This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.

Comments