One of the most common varieties of electric motors is the brushed direct current (DC) motor, which can be found in numerous electrical applications. Like all electric motors, they rely on a constantly changing magnetic field between stationary and rotating magnets. Brushed DC motors consist of a rotating electromagnetic made out of copper coils, surrounded by permanent electromagnets. A commutator manually alternates the current flowing through the coils, which results in the polarity change necessary for rotation. While brushed DC motors come in many varieties, a basic one can be made from simple materials in less than half an hour.

Instructions
1
Cut a strip of 22 gauge insulated wire down to 1 foot in length with a wire cutter and set the rest aside. Wrap the wire tightly around a coil form about 30 times, creating a new layer of wires every 10 coils or so. Leave some length on either end, and carefully remove the completed coil from the form.

2
Wrap each free end around the inside of the coil two times to ensure it keeps its form. Make sure the two ends are directly opposite each other and there is some wire length remaining.

3Hold the coil upright on a work surface so that it isn’t lying flat. On both of the remaining lengths, carefully remove the layer of enamel coating from the topside of the wire with a knife. This coil will be the rotor of the motor and the exposed surfaces will act as commutators.

4
Cut two pieces of 18 gauge bare copper wire down to lengths of about 6 inches. Wrap the middle of these lengths once around a nail to create a small coil with the remaining lengths facing down, forming two supports. Both of these will hold the coil made in Steps 1 through 3 and will also be the brushes for the motor.

5
Position a battery holder so that it lies on one side. Glue a magnet to the side of the battery holder facing up.

6
Wrap the wires from Step 4 through holes on either side of the battery holder, making sure they also come in contact with the terminals. Shape the wires so that the coils lie above the battery holder and magnet with enough room between them for the coil made in the first three steps. Ensure that the coils are equal in height and that each one is touching only one terminal.

7
Run the remaining wire lengths of the coil from the first three steps through the coils from the supporting wires so that it can turn freely. Insert a small piece of paper on the inner side of the battery holder’s positive terminal and place the battery inside. Remove the piece of paper to turn on the motor.