wind a few layers of high temperature polyimide capton tape between each layer of coper you wind, this special; tape allows the next winding over it to even out the next coper winding and so on , without it the coper windings wont be level and drop making each layer look uneven don't use an inch diameter mild steel core use a 2 inch diameter this is perfect for that electromagnet and can run for more than an hour and will never get hot as a 2 inch diameter core is perfect don't use iron use a mild steell round core