Where is a good place for me to buy the stuff to make a homemade electric motor?

Question

Just something simple like using magnets and wires and stuff like that. Please include any tips or experiences you have.

Answer 1

All you need to make a motor is wire and magnets. Read up on the principal of commutation. This is switching the polarity of the winding as the motor rotates. With out commutation a DC motor would only revolve 1/2 of a revolution until the magnetic feilds lined up then stop rotating. Commutation switches the polarity of the electric current in the winding just as the field line up North to South. The switched fields then become repelling North to North and South to South fields which push the rotor along to complete its revolution where the process repeats.
Some sources of parts:
Radio Shack
All Electronics Corp (some really neat surplus stuff)

of course you can always buy a kit (see link)

Answer 2

I bought a kit from radio shack but this was maybe 25 years ago... What will you be using it for?