Putting a tool in a powered coil will magnetize it temporarily but I don't think it will stay magnetic or at least not for long. They sell little magnetizers that you can get cheap that will last a lot longer though if that's what you're looking for..
I have one like this around somewhere that worked well when I tried it.
https://www.amazon.com/Ullman-No-Specialty-Magnetizer-Demagnetizer/dp/B00829S1JI/ref=sr_1_13?keywords=magnetizer&qid=1694044940&sr=8-13
I've had good results discharging a 450V 1kJ capacitor bank through several turns of 10 AWG wire. If you don't have a capacitor bank laying around, one of those magnetizers will work just as well.
Really? If have had good results just placing a screwdriver inside an electromagnet, still magnetized a few years later.
Maybe it depends on the coil/power source. When I tried it I was just messing around with a coil I had and 12v source and it was not that effective.
Or you could pick up an iron rod and strike a firehydrant like MacGyver.
I magnetize screw drivers with just a normal magnet. What's your usecase to need such a big magnet?
I just wanted to recreate the device my dad made with me as a kid
Any strong magnet can magnetize other things, depending on the material. Iron can be relatively easily be magnetized, while neodymium magnets require a huge (but obtainable) field.
That looks like a big electromagnet, from a motor, it will probably work, but you have to feed it DC, not AC. (Or else the object will be demagnetized when removed)
