[meteorite-list] Possible topic - magnetic rake

[Michael Murray]

For you folks interested in hunting small bits... How about  
discussing designs for constructing magnet rakes?  Currently mines is  
simply a shop magnet on a stick that you can buy in a hardware  
store.  I got a couple of supermagnets (2"x2" x7mm) and stuck on the  
underside of that.  Now it is 4" wide.  The collecting area of the  
magnet is the exposed top and trailing edge.  As I drag it through  
gravels, if there is anything magnetic, it will work its way up on  
top of the magnet.   I have found a few pieces with it  but want to  
build one better.  I am thinking maybe something like a radio- 
controlled (toy) vehicle that pulls a rake mounted on wheels.  The  
rake would consist of three 4"x6"x13mm plate supermagnets mounted  
independently from this wheeled frame.  That way, I could send it  
around in gravel areas and let it pick up what it can.  I could walk  
behind it on the edge of a gravel road etc.  Who's else is into this?

Mike