Thinking Putty (also known as Silly Putty) is a silicone polymer children's toy. Silly putty is fun because it has some unique properties: it is viscoelastic, meaning it can be stretched and shaped and mashed back together again; and as its apparent viscosity increases directly with respect to the amount of force applied (read: it can be torn or shattered with impact). Silly putty is a non-Newtonian viscoelastic polymer, better characterized as a dilatant fluid. Also, it bounces.

Ok, enough science. I'm sure we've all played with Thinking Putty in our youth, but how about magnetic silly putty?

By adding a ferrous component to an already wacky toy we can keep all characteristics of the original putty, but now have the additional dimension of magnetism! I've seen magnetic thinking putty for sale on other websites, but I'll show you how you can make your own for a fraction of the price and in about 20 minutes.

Enough talk, let's make some magnetic putty!

Step 1: tools + materials

  • disposable gloves (latex or other)
  • disposable face mask
  • disposable work area (paper plate)

The secret ingredient that makes the putty magnetic is an iron oxide powder, which is ferric (magnetic). Ferric iron oxide is a fine powder used as black pigment and can be found at art stores. If your local artist supply store doesn't carry it, you can always purchase it black iron oxide powderonline.

<p>I'm sorry to be a party pooper but there are some very serious health hazards to be concerned about when handling black oxide of iron! Please check out this health hazard warning before trying this experiment and use a breathing mask if you do plan on doing this for sure!! </p><p>It can even change your eye colour after some people have been exposed!</p><p>Follow this link for more info on the health hazards of using black iron oxide.</p><p><a href="http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1036.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1036....</a></p>
<p>You realize the link you sent is for Iron Oxide, which is just plain ole rust, created naturally. Granted this is the same name (contains similar chemical composition), it is also a refined product which is produced artificially for the purpose of being a pigment. </p><p>Still, like any fine particulate, not good to be breathing in without proper respirator/mask etc. </p>
<p>But it's only the powder, right? Say, for ferromagnetic fluid, it's going to be suspended in a bottle of liquid. And with this silly putty, it's mixed in. Plus, why would you ever make repeated contact with the powder in the first place? It has no use by itself. You only need it to make whatever, and beyond that point it's safe. At least that's my hope. I don't want to order a big jar and mix it in only to find that I'm gonna up and die from handling the stupid stuff. :(</p>
<p>Sooooo, little kid friendly? I'd love to show this to my preschooler and kindergartener, but considering the contents, is that just a horrible idea?</p>
<p>I also made two fluorescent colors of putty that glow nicely under black light. I rolled the putty into a ball and set it on top of a plastic container with a powerful cylinder magnet at the top and let it sit for hours until a nice 'bloom' developed. The third one is a ball placed directly on top of a 2&quot; square neodymium magnet.</p>
I once got some putty stuck on my pants and I washed it and it but it stayed in. Them I use some goo-gone. It it orange stuff you can buy and it is a miracle. If you ever get any goo stuck on something, no matter what the bottle says, USE IT!
<p>Goo-gone is awesome. Also good for erasing permanent marker.</p>
<p>I made it, but with less viscous silly putty. I had to add Dimethecone to allow the silly putty to flow better. Also, I used cast iron filings from my metal lathe.</p>
<p>Ha, I had just watched your YouTube video before seeing this comment!</p><p>I actually tried this project initially using iron from steel wool, since it was already very fine. <a href="http://www.instructables.com/preview/E578HMCGOZIPHLZ/" target="_blank">The results weren't great</a>. I'm glad to see you had much more success.</p><p>I saw your video about kinetic sand and was wondering when you'd tell us your hobby store solution to dimethicone. Watching your silly putty video was revealing, I'd never had thought that RC car shock oil would be the replacement. </p><p>Your channel is very entertaining and I never miss an episode. Stay awesome!<br>(also, for sharing a picture of your magnetic putty here you've got a free Pro Membership)</p>
<p>I mentioned using silicone oil over a year ago, a few comments down</p><p><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/magnetic-silly-putty/?comments=all#CZOMOAKHKTZMYGK" rel="nofollow">http://www.instructables.com/id/magnetic-silly-put</a><font color="#1155cc"><u>&hellip;</u></font></p><p>and even provided a before and after video about it</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK9o-arYvKg" rel="nofollow">DIY Magnetic Putty 'Swallows' 1/2&quot; Cube Magnet in 32.5 Seconds!</a></p><p>Dimethicone is the pure silicone oil that is in RC shock oil and is way cheaper. I bought a half pint of it for under $10 on eBay.</p>
<p>Cheers man, thanks! Because it's a lot less viscous I'm hoping to have success manipulating it with some sequenced electromagnets... Stay tuned! I'll link back to your instructable too. (reach around FTW!)</p>
<p>I'm gonna mix it with some oobleck and see what happens.</p>
<p>While I was Outside this summer (Outside of Alaska, that is) I bought a small tool in a big box home improvement store. It looks like a small plastic blue &quot;thing.&quot; However, one can magnetize or demagnetize screwdrivers, knives, etc. by drawing them several times through one of the two slots. I found it fascinating. (And no, I will not put the magnetic putty that I will surely make soon into the tool just to see - whatever!) Pictures to follow... Thanks for this most interesting project. Very well explained and illustrated!</p>
<p>wait but if you finish it, can you play with it bare handed? or do you have to play with gloves.</p>

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