Q&A for How to Magnetize Metal

Some common metals that aren't magnetic include aluminum, copper, brass, gold, silver, tin, tungsten, and lead.

When two magnets are close together, their magnetic field lines cut through each other creating magnetization.

You are absolutely right. There is no difference which end you use. One end is south and the other is north. The center is neutral, that is, it is not magnetic and will not attract anything. By the way, did you know that if you cut a bar magnet in two you will have two magnets? The part of the magnet that had the south end will be south and the part that used to be neutral is now the new north. The same principle applies to the other end. Each "new" magnet will have half the strength of the original.

Interesting. Not being familiar with the geometry of your pill grinder, it's hard to say. I have an eraser for tape cassettes, and I use it to magnetize or demagnetize screwdrivers and such. If you have or can get one of those, turn it on and move it as close as you can to the pill grinder, and then back away. The whole operation should take just a few seconds. Make sure the demagnetizer is a foot or two away from the grinder when you turn it on and off, or you'll cause even more magnetization to occur.

Use a strong magnet or a solenoid, and increase the number of turns in it.

Absolutely! In fact, that's the only way to go. I believe AC electromagnets are possible, but they are trickier to make. You want something that will use a low voltage, and that's DC.

Place a heavy piece of metal on a scale and zero the scale. Use the magnet to try to lift the metal, the scale will show a negative value, that is the power of you electromagnet.

It depends on the composition of the steel. Iron is almost always magnetic. Steel is composed partly of iron. Much -- but not all -- steel is magnetic.