NEW CHEAP IDEA FOR MAGNETIC STIR PLATE

[Flyerman]

got a new idea for a stirplate. i got a $7 plastic fan at wal mart, the one with 3 settings and took it apart, just the fan blade and the potentiometer. got an old cigar box big enough to house the whole thing, and 2 big magnets from Lowe's for another $2. cut out a hole in the cigar box just big enough for the potentiometer, and glued the mags on the center of the fan, cut a small enough hole on the top of the box so the mags would have no interference thru the wood. got a big stainless steel bolt and hacksawed both ends off, the head and the threads, filed the ends down to make it smooth and shiny, to use as the stir bar. tested it out with a glass growler full of water, and it works great. even has the adjustable speeds that i might need. kept the whole thing under $10, and the best part is, i used a cigar box for the whole thing. what do you think?

[Push Eject]

I was with ya until the "big stainless steel bolt"...

Those teflon-coated bars rock and I've never busted a flask with one. Something about a heavy threaded bolt in there makes me a little nervous.

Nonetheless, bitchin' McGyvering.

[Steve]

got a new idea for a stirplate. i got a $7 plastic fan at wal mart, the one with 3 settings and took it apart, just the fan blade and the potentiometer. got an old cigar box big enough to house the whole thing, and 2 big magnets from Lowe's for another $2. cut out a hole in the cigar box just big enough for the potentiometer, and glued the mags on the center of the fan, cut a small enough hole on the top of the box so the mags would have no interference thru the wood. got a big stainless steel bolt and hacksawed both ends off, the head and the threads, filed the ends down to make it smooth and shiny, to use as the stir bar. tested it out with a glass growler full of water, and it works great. even has the adjustable speeds that i might need. kept the whole thing under $10, and the best part is, i used a cigar box for the whole thing. what do you think?

Dude, I saw this exact post a couple of months ago, and just like last time I'll ask a question. Your idea sound like a nice project and it could work only one problem, you said you want to use a "Stainless Steel" bolt. Have you ever attempted to use a magnet on stainless? It has very little attraction! Now I think someone else suggested the use of a teflon coated stirbar, probably available at a lab supply house. That may make your project work better. Otherwise good job on the homemade magnetic stirrer!
Steve