I've done this before but this time all it made was a perm magnet. Took a u shaped piece of rebar, two coils wound in opposite direction. A quick touch of the battery but it doesn't seem to release its magnetism. I have removed the keeper several times but it's still a magnet. Quickest mag I've ever made.
Dear Jim.You probably found a bit of Re bar with a higher Carbon content. The first PM's were made from High Carbon Steel. You need to find a piece of Wrought Iron or better still Pure Iron.It'll work then !! Cheers Grum.