How to make a compass

Video: How to Make a Homemade Compass - DIY Compass

Content

Method 2 of 3: Create a compass
Method 3 of 3: Reading Compass Readings
Tips
What do you need

1 Choose what to use for the compass. A compass needle can be made from any piece of metal that can be magnetized. Sewing needles are a simple and practical choice, especially as they are more often at hand, whether in a first aid kit or a survival kit that is most likely to end up on a hike. You can also use other "needles":

Clip
Razor blade
Pin
Hairpin

2 Choose how to magnetize the needle. You can magnetize the needle in various ways: by tapping with a piece of steel or cast iron, rubbing against a magnet, or rubbing against another static-magnetising element.

Fridge magnets work well for this purpose. You can also buy simple magnets at craft stores.
In case you don't have a magnet, you can use steel, iron nail, horseshoe, crowbar or other household item.
Silk and wool can also be used to magnetize the needle.
When none of the above is there, you can use your own hair.

3 Pick up additional materials. In addition to the needle and magnet, you will need a bowl or jar, some water, and a coin-sized piece of cork.

Method 2 of 3: Create a compass

1 Magnify the needle. It doesn't matter what you use: a needle or other metal object - rub it against the magnet in one direction, not back and forth, you can even resort to blows. After 50 strokes, the needle will be magnetized.
- Use the same method to magnetize the needle on silk, fur, or hair. Rubbing the needle 50 times will magnetize it. Do not use soft objects to magnetize the blades.
- If you are magnetizing on steel or iron, press the needle down firmly against the pieces of wood and rub 50 times.
2 Place the needle in the stopper. If you are using a sewing needle, insert it horizontally into a coin-sized piece of cork so that the needle goes through the stopper and exits on the other side. Push the needle until equal parts of the needle are protruding from both sides of the plug.
- If you are using blades or another type of needle, simply place it in a balanced position on the cork. You may need a larger piece of cork to hold the blade.
- Any floating object can be used instead of a cork. If you are out in nature, you can even use a leaf.
3 Assemble the compass. Fill a bowl or jar with a couple of centimeters of water and place the compass in the water. The magnetized side of the needle will point from south to north towards the earth's magnetic pole.
- The wind blowing on the compass can prevent it from showing directions correctly. To avoid this, try using a deeper jar or bowl.
- Currents also interfere with the compass, so you can't get accurate readings if you dip it into a lake or pond. Perhaps something will turn out in the still water of a puddle.

Method 3 of 3: Reading Compass Readings

1 Check if the needle is magnetized. The needle in the cork or on the sheet should rotate slowly clockwise or counterclockwise to indicate the direction from north to south. If it does not move, magnetize the needle again.
2 Find out which direction is north. A north-south magnetized needle cannot be used to figure out where east and west are until you know where north is. To use the compass to navigate in other directions, mark the north side of the compass with a pen or pencil and use one of the following methods:
- Find your way around the stars. Find the North Star. It is the extreme star in the tail of the constellation Ursa Minor. Draw an imaginary line from the North Star to the ground. The line will point north.
- Identify by shadow. Stick a stick in the ground. Mark the end of the shadow. Wait 15 minutes and repeat the procedure. Draw a line from the first position of the shadow to the second and extend one step beyond the second mark. Stand with the toe of your left foot in front of the first mark, and with your right foot at the end of the line you drew. You are now facing north.