DIY Magnetic Building Sticks
As far as DIY projects go, nearly all of them involve an adhesive of some sort. But attaching magnets with glue or using tape may not be the best way to approach every project. If you need a long-lasting, mess-free adhesive, heat shrink tubing is a great tool to use. While there are many uses for it in other magnet projects, we have one that will make the most of this incredible tubing.
We have all played with some types of building sticks, whether they’ve been Lincoln Logs, K’NEX, or Legos. Using magnets, you can create some of your own. These DIY magnetic building sticks are fun and easy to make and will leave you with an awesome set of toys to play with after you’re finished.
Here are the materials you will need to begin:
- 8mm x 2mm Neodymium Disc Magnets
- Heat shrink tubing, diameter larger than 8mm
- Scissors
- A heat source
- Ruler
- To start, check to make sure your heat shrink tubing is wider in diameter than your magnets. Then, cut multiple tubes into sticks of approximately the same length, about 2-3 inches long.
- Next, it’s time to arrange magnets with the tubing. Before you get going, you must make sure the magnets are oriented the same way on each end so that there is a “north” and a “south” for any give stick. This helps them interlock when oriented properly. Set all your magnets up so they’re aligned along the same orientation. Put a magnet on one end of the tubing facing one direction, and use the reverse orientation for the other end of the tube.
- To attach the magnets, bring out your heat source and place the tubing around one of the magnets. Secure the tubing to the magnet by carefully heating the plastic with the heat agent. It will contract and hold the magnet in place!
- Once you’re finished, you are all set to play with your new magnet stick set!