Magnets are made by exposing ferromagnetic metals like iron and nickel to magnetic fields.

There are three methods of making magnets: (1) Single touch method (2) Double touch method (3) Using electric current.

Single Touch Method: This is the simplest and also the most convenient method to make a small magnet that does not have a very big field of attraction. All you need is a ferromagnetic object and a permanent magnet.
Place a paper on a flat surface and place the ferromagnetic object on it. Then rub the permanent magnet over the surface of the object. Make sure to rub in one direction only. It is also necessary to lift the magnet from the surface of the object, after every swipe or run. Then swipe it again, in the same motion as before and continue rubbing the magnet over the object at least 50 times. If the process of swiping the permanent magnet over the ferromagnetic object has been done correctly, then the pins will get attracted towards your magnet and will stick to it.
The more times you rub the permanent magnet over your ferromagnetic object, the more powerful your temporary magnet will become.

Double Touch Method: This method is very similar to the first method. Here, two permanent magnets are taken to magnetize the ferromagnetic material, operating in opposite directions.

Magnet using electric current: In this process an electromagnet is made out of a ferromagnetic substance (preferably use a large–sized iron nail), a copper wire and a battery (for safety purposes use the D–cell). Initially a copper coil must be tightly coiled around the iron nail at least 10 times. The ends of the copper wire must be left free. Connect the lower end of the copper wire to the negative point of the battery and the upper end of the copper wire to the positive point of the battery. This magnet also works for sometime after it has been disconnected from the battery. Test the magnet by using the light–weight pins. The electromagnet is nowadays, used as an industrial magnet. The best example of an industrial electromagnet is of a crane that is used in salvage yards.

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