A magnet can be made in a few common ways, depending on whether a temporary or a permanent magnet is desired. Here are reliable, safe methods with brief explanations. What you can make: a simple electromagnet or a permanent magnet (from a steel rod or nail) Direct answer

• Electromagnet (temporary magnet): wrap insulated magnet wire around a ferromagnetic core (like a nail or bolt), connect the ends to a DC power source, and allow current to run to magnetize the core. When the current is on, the core becomes magnetized; when you disconnect the power, the magnetism largely disappears. This is the standard, adjustable way to create a magnet without using another magnet as a source.
• Permanent magnet from steel: magnetizing a steel rod or bolt involves exposing it to a strong magnetic field in a particular direction, typically by passing current through a coil around the rod (electromagnetically induced field) or by repeated stroking/rub technique with a pre-magnetized piece (though results vary and are less reliable). After magnetization, the rod can retain some magnetic moment even without a current, depending on the material and how uniformly it was aligned.

Important safety and accuracy notes:

• Use low-voltage DC sources for basic demonstrations to avoid overheating wires or damaging components.
• Work on a non-sparking, dry surface and avoid placing magnets near magnetic-sensitive equipment or electronics.
• Not all steel or iron objects will become strong permanent magnets; the material’s composition (especially impurities and crystal structure) matters.
• If aiming for a stronger, true permanent magnet, specialized processes (sintering, alloying, and controlled heat treatment) are used in industrial settings, which are not practical or safe to DIY at home.

If you’d like, I can tailor steps for a specific item you have (nail, bolt, rod) and specify materials (wire gauge, number of turns, power source) to maximize safety and results.