Creating a Ferrofluid for Scientists

[T.O.E Dream]

I have a box of iron fillings. Can I make a ferrofluid with this and if so what other things do I need?

 

[trini]

just some oil to make a basic one, you also need a binder to make it like the ones you see in the ferrofluid sculpture vids:

http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm

 

[T.O.E Dream]

would olive oil work? What kind of binder do i need?