Uploaded April 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
I discovered that when a magnet is spun at a certain rpm rate it is possible to levitate another magnet under it. The spinning master magnet locks the levitating slave magnet at a distance of ~ 5 - 10 mm. The levitation gap can be adjusted by changing the rpm rate. Faster rpm means smaller levitation gap. The tractor beam effect is also much tighter with higher rpm. Copper isn't necessary for the effect, but it helps to stabilize the magnet.
The 5mm, N42 cube magnet is attached to the dremel so that its poles are facing a 90 degree angle with respect of the spinning axle. This creates a spinning magnetic field. Because of the high rpm, magnetic locking isn't enough. Tape adds strength to the connection and makes the experiment safer.
The slave magnet needs to have its poles facing up and down for the levitation to occur. A 5 mm cube magnet will position itself automatically in this direction once the powertool is on. Inductive materials such as aluminum or copper aren't necessary for the effect but they will stabilize the magnet and therefore help get the magnet levitating without it flying all over the place.
The most crucial part of this experiment is the right rotation speed. The particular Dremel I used has two gears. When the Dremel was fully accelerated on the first gear, levitation could be achieved. Furthermore the levitation gap can be modified by adjusting the rpm. Faster rpm means a smaller levitation gap.
Magnets are brittle and the high centrifugal force of a powertool can break a magnet. It happens very often that the levitating magnet locks temporarily to the spinning magnet and shoots with a high velocity in a random direction.
I discovered that when a magnet is spun at a certain rpm rate it is possible to levitate another magnet under it. The spinning master magnet locks the levitating slave magnet at a distance of ~ 5 - 10 mm. The levitation gap can be adjusted by changing the rpm rate. Faster rpm means smaller levitation gap. The tractor beam effect is also much tighter with higher rpm. Copper isn't necessary for the effect, but it helps to stabilize the magnet.
The 5mm, N42 cube magnet is attached to the dremel so that its poles are facing a 90 degree angle with respect of the spinning axle. This creates a spinning magnetic field. Because of the high rpm, magnetic locking isn't enough. Tape adds strength to the connection and makes the experiment safer.
The slave magnet needs to have its poles facing up and down for the levitation to occur. A 5 mm cube magnet will position itself automatically in this direction once the powertool is on. Inductive materials such as aluminum or copper aren't necessary for the effect but they will stabilize the magnet and therefore help get the magnet levitating without it flying all over the place.
The most crucial part of this experiment is the right rotation speed. The particular Dremel I used has two gears. When the Dremel was fully accelerated on the first gear, levitation could be achieved. Furthermore the levitation gap can be modified by adjusting the rpm. Faster rpm means a smaller levitation gap.
Magnets are brittle and the high centrifugal force of a powertool can break a magnet. It happens very often that the levitating magnet locks temporarily to the spinning magnet and shoots with a high velocity in a random direction.
