I have read some of these at various locations and finished assembling a homemade stir plate with the common parts people can harvest from old computer parts, old cell phone, etc. This isn't a documented "How to..", there are plenty of them here that are excellent, rather a, "I did this, and heres something to do different, don't repeat my mistakes."

Thought I would put together my experiences while they are still fresh in my head and the blood blister on my finger is still throbbing. But as a side note, remember, this is REALLY cheap and easy and I would still recommend it if you make yeast starters. And if you don't make yeast starters.....start making yeast starters.

So the common parts needed simply put are:

Power Source - Cell phone charger, Computer power supply, or buy one at Radio Shack
Stir Plate - Computer Fan (most common)
Magnets - Computer Hard Drive (Rare Earth magnets)

Stir bar, Flask, Glass container, etc...easy to find online or LHBS

If you have an old computer lying around, you have everything to make this with little to no wiring necessary. The reason i like the power supply from a computer is that it is already wired to plug in fan or fans. No wiring needed, just plug in the 4 pin male to female connectors. Done. If you don't have an old computer, go to your IT department at work or large business. They either have a boneyard of old crap or they throw stuff out routinely. Ask for an old power supply, case fan(s), and a couple hard drives. It is entirely expected that they wont give you old hard drives, but ask if you could take it apart in front of them and get the magnets. Or even offer to drill a hole through the plates. This is what we do before we dispose of them.

The magnets. DON'T underestimate how powerful these suckers are. If you have two they WILL snap together so hard they will pinch your fingers. Like immediate blood blister pinch. The stupid part is I work in IT and I KNOW how strong these these are and despite my careful handling....DAMN...snap...ouch.

I used JB Weld to adhere the magnets to the hub of the fans. Let the JB Weld cure before trying to add another magnet. It isn't strong enough to hold against the force another magnet in near proximity.

I think thats it. Just wanted to tell another example of how easy it is to make these. All the parts are in a scrap computer. Have fun.


MNBugeater