Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Gathering the materials
• Part 2 of 3: Making the compass
• Tips
• Necessities

The magnetic compass is an ancient navigational aid for showing the four directions of the compass: north, south, east and west. It is made up of a magnetized needle that points to the Earth's magnetic field and points north. If you unexpectedly run out of a compass in the wilderness, you can easily make your own compass using a piece of magnetized metal and a bowl of water.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Gathering the materials

1. Decide what to use as a compass needle. You make a compass needle from a piece of metal that can be magnetized. A sewing needle is a simple, practical choice, especially since it is an item that you would normally find in a first aid kit or survival kit that you have on a hike. You can also try these other "needles":
   • A paperclip
   • A razor blade
   • A safety pin
   • A hairpin
2. Choose a method to magnetize the needle. You can magnetize your needle using several methods: by hitting it with a piece of steel or iron, by rubbing it with a magnet or other item that magnetizes it with static electricity.
   • A fridge magnet works well for this purpose. You can also buy regular magnets from the hobby store.
   • You can use a steel or iron nail, horseshoe, crowbar, or other household item if you don't have a magnet.
   • Silk and fur can also be used to magnetize a needle.
   • If you don't have anything else, use your hair.
3. Gather additional materials. In addition to a needle and a magnetizer, you'll need a bowl or jar, some water, and the coin-sized cork disc.

Part 2 of 3: Making the compass

1. Determine which side is north. Since the magnetized needle points north to south, you can't use it to figure out where east and west are until you know where north is. To get a feel for the north direction, use one of the following techniques, then mark that side of the compass with a pen or pencil so you can use it to find the other directions:
   • Use the stars. Find the North Star, the brightest star in the Little Bear. Draw an imaginary line from the North Star to the ground. The direction of that line is to the north.
   • Use the shading method. Place a stick upright in the ground so you can see its shadow. Mark where the tip of the shadow falls on a stone. Wait fifteen minutes, then mark the top of the shadow with a second stone. The line between the stones is roughly from east to west. If you stand so that the first stone is on your left and the second stone is on your right, you are facing north.

Tips

• The next time you go for a walk, bring a needle, magnet, cork disc, and bowl to test if your homemade compass works in the wild.

Necessities

• Sewing needle
• Magnet
• Cork disc the size of a coin
• Come on
• Water