Flux Original Copper Tube with Neodymium Sphere

A sphere drops through a tube – and suddenly takes several seconds to get to the bottom. The Flux Original by Feel Flux is a piece of copper and a neodymium sphere, nothing else. Pick it up for the first time and you will turn it over two or three times, watching the ball sink in slow motion.

Why the sphere falls so slowly

The reason is Lenz's law. As the magnetic sphere travels through the copper tube it changes the magnetic field inside the metal. That change induces electrical eddy currents in the copper, and those currents build a magnetic field of their own that opposes the movement. The faster the sphere falls, the harder it brakes itself. Copper conducts electricity exceptionally well, which is why the effect is so pronounced here.

Copper, suede and walnut

The tube is made from a high-purity copper alloy and precisely turned, with a polished bore that guides the sphere. Around it sits a brown suede sleeve embossed with the Feel Flux emblem: it gives you a firm grip and keeps fingerprints off the metal. A turned walnut stand is included, so the Flux has a place to rest between runs. A shipping weight of around 815 grams tells you there is solid metal in your hand.

Copper or aluminium

Feel Flux builds the same idea in aluminium as well – the Skill Flux, which the maker describes as delivering a faster ball and a more dynamic experience. The Flux Original deliberately sticks with copper: the material conducts better, the braking effect is stronger, and the sphere sinks about as slowly as this principle allows. If you want the effect in its calmest form, the Original is the one.

An object for your desk

The Flux Original is not a toy you unpack once and then forget. It sits in plain sight on the desk, which is exactly why you reach for it again during a phone call or a thinking pause. Drop the sphere in, turn the tube over, watch – the routine is simple enough to do while your mind is elsewhere and still settles you every time. And any visitor to your desk will end up holding it.

As a gift

For anyone who likes physics, for teachers, for people with a soft spot for beautifully made objects – and for everyone who already owns every other desk gadget. The Flux arrives in a sturdy black presentation box with a velvet pouch, so there is no wrapping left to do.

Tips for use

• Place the sphere on top and hold the tube upright – it will sink on its own
• Turn the tube over above your palm or the desk so the sphere never hits the floor
• Park it on the walnut stand in between, where it stands securely
• Keep the sphere and tube away from bank cards, storage media and pacemakers
• Wipe copper and suede with a dry, soft cloth

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Does the Flux need power? No. The effect happens purely through physics inside the copper; there is nothing to switch on and nothing to charge.

What is in the box? The copper tube, the neodymium magnet sphere, the walnut stand, a black velvet pouch and an English user manual.

Is it suitable for children? Feel Flux does not release the product for children under 14 – the magnet sphere is very strong and needs careful handling.

Which version is this? Brown suede with a walnut stand. The manufacturer also offers grey and beige, plus an anodised aluminium stand – what we sell here is the brown version with the wooden stand.

Does the copper change over time? Copper is a living material and its tone develops over the years. Wipe the tube dry now and then if you want to keep the bright finish.

Specifications

• Tube: high-purity copper alloy, precisely turned
• Sleeve: brown suede with embossed Feel Flux emblem
• Magnet: neodymium sphere, grade N52
• Stand: walnut
• Shipping weight: approx. 815 g
• In the box: copper tube, magnet sphere, walnut stand, velvet pouch, manual (English)
• Hand-crafted in Hungary (EU)
• Manufacturer's note: not for children under 14