where can I find a tubular magnet? (a megnetic tube of steel)?

Question

I am looking for a thick walled tube of steel that is magnetized, preferably an earth magnet level of strength. wall needs to be a quarter inch thick approx. hollow. about 6 inched long approx

Answer 1

The magnetrons from microwave ovens have those. They are about 3" long. You could stand two of them end-to-end.

Answer 2

You are never going to get steel to hold the same level of magnetism as a rare earth (neodymium) magnet on it's own. You could either get a neo magnet custom machined for you or make an electromagnet type of device. You could magnetize a tube of steel pretty easily by rubbing a magnet on it, but that wont last long if its being used.