I want to make or buy some iron filings. Does anybody know where I can purchase them? Or where I can purchase some iron to file? Or what I should use to "file" it? I am clueless. Thank you-

Ben

OK, I found a place:

http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm?terms=3620

By the way, that website is an awesome place to look for prop ideas.

Theater Effects is who I buy all of my pyro from.

Will

If you want to save shipping costs and live in the States then try looking at a Cracker Barrel restaurant. They sell lots of little stuff like that and I know that at least the ones around here carry something nearly identical to the item linked above.

Andy

Sounds crazy but; If you go to a toy store you can still find a toy that resembles a man with a bald head. The idea is that you move the iron filings around with a pen magnet to give him hair/moustache etc. Just a thought.

Mr. Honesty: you are exactly right. They sell the item that Dano is talking about there. And I love Cracker Barrel food. (choice of 2, sometimes 3 sides)!!! Thanks guys!

Ben: Where else can you get iron filings & breakfast at the same time?
Mmmmmmmmm-Donut

The breakroom at any large machine shop....

Good point Dr. Amaze, but do you really want to eat there? It's a roll of the dice!

You can buy IRON OXIDE powder (just rusty iron filings)....
and a LOT OF OTHER NEAT stuff at...

http://www.unitednuclear.com/chem.htm

Check it out.

Ben- Depending on what you're wanting to use it for... you can get steel wool and tear it up into tiny pieces.

Wow that's a great site!

By the way Ben, I heard of a guy that put some iron fillings in a TT. While at a restaurant, he faked dumping pepper onto the table (actually the fillings).. and proceeded with some interesting PK magic.

I was searching the archives and found this thread. Just wanted to mention: I bought an old Godzilla toy from who knows when at a thrift store. It was missing some pieces, and had some parts that I wanted. I opened up its legs and there I found two hot dog sized containers, both filled with iron filings. These were used to give the legs weight so the toy wouldn't fall over. Now I have more than I will ever need. If anyone is having trouble finding it, or wants just a small quantity, just let me know. Drop a PM or something. I don't frequent this side of the MC too much.

Ben,
What are you using iron filings for..a magnetic effect? Weight? Pyrotechnics? There are different types, depending on your use. The ones sold through science supply houses are probably rather coarse and used for showing magnetic lines of force, or perhaps school chemical experiments. These are the type found in the toys described above in other posts. If you are using the iron for pyrotechnics (white-golden sparks) you would use a finer iron powder, it has been processed to remove oils so it will burn more rapidly. Sure, you can make your own, just file away on a big nail or other piece of iron. A power hack saw produces lots of iron filings as it cuts the metal!
Dave

There is also the old trick of taking a flat file to a few nails, a vise or other clamp comes in handy to hold things still!

Of course it all depends on how much you need when to buy vs make it yourself!
k

Try a brake repair shop.

Find a good one that will re-machine the rotors on your car. These machines produce a lot of iron filings. If you ask nicely they will let you take home a big bag for absolutely nothing.

You can also try different machine shops and fab shops.

Problem with brake rotors is if the locale still allows the use of brake pads containing asbestos <cough cough>
you will get this in the metal filings as well- I still say a flat file (I do not think I can use the usual name of Bast**d file)and a few nails is pretty cheap and fast!
k

Hobby stores carry Iron filings. Inexpensive and easy. Visit your local hobby store. I got mine at Hobby Town USA.

The cheapest place to get iron filings is at an auto brake shop. They use a lathe to resurface the brake drums/disks and usually have a bin full of filings that they throw away. Bring a container to put them into. I walked out with a gallon jug full, more than 30 years ago and still have plenty left. It cost me nothing.

You will probably want to sift the filings to separate the large filings from the powder that you seek, but the larger filings work very well in camp fires!

Ebay