You will also need wire strippers or a blade if your wire is insulated. You can purchase all of these things at your local hardware store or at most large retail stores.
Keep the coil tight as you wrap the wire around the battery. Make sure to leave plenty of slack on either end of the coil as you wrap it.
Be careful not to let the wire unravel as you handle the coil. If the battery or cylinder is stuck, loosen the coil wrapped around it a bit to slide it out.
You may want to wrap each end around the wire 2 or 3 times. Make sure to leave at least 2 inches (5. 1 cm) of wire extending out of each end of the coil.
Once finished, the coil should look like a wire circle with the two ends extending out from opposing sides. These knots aren’t required for the function of the motor, but will help ensure the coil doesn’t unravel when you’re not holding it.
You don’t need much electric tape. A piece only about . 5 inches (1. 3 cm) long will be fine. If the coil holds the shape of a circle without the tape, you can skip this step.
Make sure that where the wires extend out from the loop on either side is even, so the coil will be even once the motor is assembled.
Make sure that at least 1 inch (2. 5 cm) of wire is exposed on both sides. If the wire is not insulated, you can skip this step.
Only color in the top side of the exposed wire on either side. Leave the bottom side uncolored. This variation in the wire will help to engage the motor.
The paper clips should now each look like a loop with a long arm extending from it. If you don’t have paper clips, you can create loops with stiff wire for the same purpose.
Make sure both paperclips are pointed in the same direction. You can add some more tape to the bottom of the battery to keep it from rolling from side to side, but it’s optional.
Let go of the coil so it is resting on the paper clips via the extended and exposed arms of the coil. If the paper clips are too far apart, bend them inward so they can hold the coil.
The magnet is the final piece you need to complete the motor, so you may spot the coil quiver a bit as you put it in place. Secure the magnet with tape so you don’t have to hold it in place. There is no risk of injury or shock when doing this, but always exercise caution when working with electronics.
The coil needs to be able to spin freely in order for the motor to work. If you used the battery to create your coil, it should be small enough to skip this step.
Make sure both paperclips are even with one another. If they’re crooked, it could impede the coil from spinning.
The coil will likely begin to spin freely. If it does, the motor is complete. The coil will continue to spin until the battery is depleted or you stop it.
Once it starts spinning, it won’t stop unless you stop it. If it doesn’t start spinning, check to make sure your connections are all strong and then try again.
