This project will show you how you can make a simple compass with duct tape, a cork, a needle and a magnet: a floating needle compass. The benefit of this duct tape design is that the this compass can be rolled and stored neatly when not in use, a duct tape collapsible compass; how cool is that?
This instructable will cover the process of making a compass with duct tape, as well as alternatives to all the materials used. So you'll never be far from some materials that will work instead of what's shown, even out in the wilderness.
Making your own compass is considered as a rite of passage for many scouts, and a staple for wildness survival along side of making a fire and tying knots. Don't plan of having any of these materials handy next time you go camping? You need to come more prepared (read: bring duct tape)!
If you don't already know, compasses work on magnetism. The science is that our planet is just a really big magnet and creates a magnetic field that surrounds us an extends out into space, It's called the magnetosphere. This magnetic field isn't very strong, but is enough to orient a freely rotting magnet. By magnetizing a lightweight metal object and allowing it to rotate with low resistance we can determine which direction the magnetic poles of the earth are, using the known phenomenon that similar poles repelling while dissimilar poles attract.
Even if you think you know how to make a basic compass, it's wise to refresh yourself with the most important step.
Enough talk, let's make a duct tape compass!
This instructable will cover the process of making a compass with duct tape, as well as alternatives to all the materials used. So you'll never be far from some materials that will work instead of what's shown, even out in the wilderness.
Making your own compass is considered as a rite of passage for many scouts, and a staple for wildness survival along side of making a fire and tying knots. Don't plan of having any of these materials handy next time you go camping? You need to come more prepared (read: bring duct tape)!
If you don't already know, compasses work on magnetism. The science is that our planet is just a really big magnet and creates a magnetic field that surrounds us an extends out into space, It's called the magnetosphere. This magnetic field isn't very strong, but is enough to orient a freely rotting magnet. By magnetizing a lightweight metal object and allowing it to rotate with low resistance we can determine which direction the magnetic poles of the earth are, using the known phenomenon that similar poles repelling while dissimilar poles attract.
Even if you think you know how to make a basic compass, it's wise to refresh yourself with the most important step.
Enough talk, let's make a duct tape compass!
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials
The nice thing about compasses is that they are very basic and only require a few materials, many of which can be substituted for other (more readily available) items.
Here's a list of what i used in this project, along with some alternatives
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Here's a list of what i used in this project, along with some alternatives
duct tape compass:
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what it is:
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alternatives:
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I appreciate the variety of methods you offered for determining the points of the compass under all sorts of conditions. When a person is under stress it is easy to become confused and doubt otherwise reliable instruments. Confirming readings by a variety of methods helps keep someone from walking into disaster because he followed an inner sense rather than objective tools.
Actually, the typical needle will usually have already been magnetized by collapsing electric fields which are present in any building or home, or near any form of electrical system. See my book, "KIDS' BOOK of ADVENTURE PROJECTS" (Gary F. Hartman) for a complete and clear explanation of how this "silk making a compass" myth began. Ask any Electrical Engineer. We need to quit mixing up static electricity with magnet fields.
Gary F. Hartman
Apparently modern education is sorely lacking.
Not all are fooled: Check this wilderness site from Canada.
http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/navigation/rbimprovisedcompass01.html
Why don't you show us how it's done, and post your version?
I'm just pointing out on the simple fact, that if you are in emergency, you will probably use the least amount of energy and effort to find north. This is not what I would do. Nothing else.
No offense, but your statement doesn't hold much water (pun intended) without some evidence.
If you post the results you'll earn your self a 3-month Pro Membership, too.
I have to say I like Instructables a lot, but for some people it starts to be a way of life. Ok, no problem, but it is not my way of life.
Sometimes is better to just go out and look. What about google (takes 3 seconds)?
http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/make-a-floating-needle-compass/
Also, you last comment is irrelevant to the topic.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Compass-floating_needle_on_water.jpg
Thanks Daniel
Instructables is all about sharing ideas and iterating on them. Mikeasaurus, you did a fantastic job of documenting this project. Thank you!
Please keep your comments constructive and helpful. As my mother always taught me, if you don't have something nice to say, it's better not to say anything at all.
Cheers,
Laura
Editor, Instructables.com
Laura, I'm however disappointed, that non-offensive conflict of opinions is discouraged here. Conflicts of opinions means evolution and it can generates innovative idea's. That's my motto.
Anyway, you are commenting 6 month too late, you are neither positive or constructive (telling me what "I need to do" is not constructive, it is dictatorial) and actually, I would describe your post as "opening old wounds".
So please stop now and let it be. Thank you.
Now I take this opportunity to be crass and unintelligent:
LOL WOUNDS!
Sorry about that. Anyway, cool.
P.S. It's funny how people think my name is Jimmy
I was about to ask how the silk was supposed to magnetise a pin/needle because I'd never heard that before and it made no sense to me. But instead I had a quick Google and it seems it is a long-perpetuated urban legend:
http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/navigation/rbimprovisedcompass01.html
I've magnetised many a needle with another magnet in my time, and that makes logical/physical sense, because the magnetic domains within the steel align to the field of the needle.
But steel is an electrical conductor: even if silk can be used to generate a static charge on some insulators it is not going to work on a conducting needle, and in addition to this a static charge has nothing to do with magnetism anyway.
So silk is just not going to work. It is possible that the needle you choose to rub with a piece of silk is already partly magnetised, however, but the silk is not going to change that either way.
Sometimes I need contests like the Duct Tape one to come up with ideas like this.
well, i dont like to travel, im a city man, but i found this very useful, thanks for posting :)
Just one thing you might want to add, is more information on the magnitised needle. Since you instructed how to magnetise it by moving from the eye to the tip, it's important to note the polarity of the tip. Since the needle has two ends, it needs to be clarified which end points north and which end is south.
For what it's worth, most hardware stores sell cork buttons used to protect furniture or to act as "feet" under objects so they won't scratch a surface. (They come as a card of six or ten) One of those could make the compass project smaller if desired for more portability.
Again, great ideas and lots of info packed into a well-written instructable.
Your concern regarding the polarity is a good one, but is already covered in Step 5 under the subheading How to read the bearings:
When the needle is magnetized it will be positively charged, meaning it will be attracted to a negative and repulsed by positive magnetic fields. The needle of your compass will point towards the strongest magnetic pole, meaning north in the Northern Hemisphere and south in the Southern Hemisphere.
This notion is so critical it bears repeating, and possibly clarifying the information I've provided. Thanks!
Joking... Very nice instructable!
One thing to add to the using the stars method.
After finding the north star (or southern cross) you can roughly find any bearing by using your fist.:
Close one eye and extend your arm out straight making a fist. Line your thumb up with the north star and the other side of your fist will be 10 degrees from north.
Make a reference point in the sky and move one more fist length for 20 degrees and so on.
This was taught to me by as part of pilot training for when all systems are out and you can't see your compass. Seems to work much more accurately than I expected.