I Finally Got Some Push Pull & Balance on This Magnetic Levitation Pole

Hook

After a couple hours of messing around I finally started seeing real push, pull, and balance on my magnetic levitation pole. The discs I made up let me mix polarities and the whole thing started doing what it was supposed to do.

Watch this experiment

I set up a simple pole and began stacking the magnet discs in different ways. You can see the force fighting itself — sometimes it pushes up, sometimes it pulls down, and every once in a while it finds a sweet spot where it almost floats. When the stack gets down low it really likes to stay flat.

What you'll learn

You’ll see why tilting is bad but a little wobble can actually help the system balance itself out. I also talk about keeping everything inside one testing paradigm so the results stay easy to compare later.

From the bench

I’ve been messing around with this for a couple hours and I’ve gotten some headway. The discs are all made up so I can swap them around if I want but still stay inside the same basic setup. Storage is getting tight on my end so I might have to move some files to Google or YouTube soon.

How it works / what we changed

The magnets fight each other on the pole. Change the order or flip a disc and you get different push or pull. I kept the same pole and just rearranged the stack until I saw the behavior I was after. No big mechanical changes yet — just learning what the magnets want to do naturally.

magnetic levitation on a pole

I built this magnetic levitation on a pole rig using a straight rod and a set of donut-style magnet discs. The goal is simple: get the stack to float without touching anything. Early runs show it wants to climb or drop depending on polarity, but the real trick is keeping it centered and level.

push pull balance magnets

The push pull balance magnets part is what makes the whole thing interesting. One orientation gives strong repulsion that tries to lift the stack. Flip a disc and you get attraction that pulls it down the pole. Finding the right mix gives that sweet spot where the forces cancel enough to balance.

permanent magnet levitation experiment

This permanent magnet levitation experiment is all done with off-the-shelf magnets — no electromagnets or feedback coils yet. I wanted to see what raw permanent magnet force could do on a simple pole before I add anything fancy. The results are promising but clearly show the limits of static fields.

DIY magnetic levitation

My DIY magnetic levitation approach is pure workshop style. I cut and stacked the discs myself so I could test fast. No 3D printed parts or precision machining — just hand assembly and careful observation. That’s how I caught the difference between wobble and tilt so quickly.

stacked magnet discs levitation

The stacked magnet discs levitation behavior changes a lot depending on which way each disc faces. When everything lines up right the top disc wants to hover. Get one polarity wrong and the whole stack either slams down or flies off the top. Flat orientation at the bottom gave the most repeatable results.

Builder checklist

• Make a set of identical magnet discs with clear north/south markings
• Use a smooth straight pole that fits the disc holes snug but not tight
• Start with two discs and add one at a time while watching for tilt
• Keep a notebook or phone video log of each polarity combination
• Check that the bottom of the stack stays as flat as possible
• Have a soft landing spot ready in case things launch off the top

Troubleshooting

If the stack tilts badly, it usually means one disc is not seated flat or the pole is slightly bent. A little wobble is normal and often damps out, but constant leaning means imbalance. Try flipping the bottom disc first — that fixed most of my early runs.

Safety

Strong neodymium-style magnets can pinch fingers hard when they snap together. Keep loose discs away from the pole while you’re adjusting. Wear eye protection in case a disc launches off the top of the pole. Work on a stable surface so nothing tips over mid-experiment.

FAQ

Does this count as true magnetic levitation?

It’s partial levitation using only permanent magnets. It balances for short periods but isn’t fully floating without contact like an active maglev system.

Why does tilt ruin the balance?

Tilt creates uneven forces on opposite sides of the disc. The magnet wants to flip to align poles, which makes it slide or fall instead of staying centered.

Can I use any donut magnets?

Most will work for basic tests but stronger ones give clearer push and pull. Just make sure the hole fits your pole without too much slop.

Will this scale up to lift heavier loads?

Probably not with simple stacked discs. The forces drop off fast as you add weight. This experiment is more about learning the behavior than building a practical lifter.

Related on this site

• How to Build a Pulse Motor: Complete Beginner's Guide
• Pulse Motor Rotor Design: Magnets, Materials and Balance
• Magnetic Levitation with Six Donut Magnets
• Donut Magnets — Outside Poles & Motion
• Levitation & Electricity — Coil Demonstration

Watch & support the channel

• ▶ Watch on YouTube
• Subscribe free
• Join as member — $2.99/mo — exclusive videos, Discord, live shoutouts