I've often thought about doing this but never got round to it!

There are many plans out there and a site which contains some plans as well as lots of other info is http://www.otherpower.com

You'll find many plans for generators which use everything from Volvo brake discs to wood. Most supply at least 400 watts

Two plans that caught my interest where

The Wood 103 

THE WOOD-AX

I've also found people that build generators and sell them as a part time venture so How difficult can it be?

Having a small wood or metal shop would help considerably!

Both of those look interesting.... perhaps you can build your own wind farm now

I bought a few rare earth magnets a couple months ago from here :

http://stores.ebay.com/Emovendo_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZ1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Some of those magnets like the 2" ones can rip flesh if you are not careful!  I wonder if the stronger magnets add too much resistance or if they are more effective.

Interesting to see how simple a generator can be.  Nothing mentions what determines what the voltage produced is... i would have thought that aspect would require some circuitry... perhaps revolution speed?

Would be fun project to build one using tools powered from solar/wind... almost self sustaining!

I use to have the full plans for the Wood 103 (lent them out and never recieved them back)

If I remember the volts were calculated with the coils (don't remember if it was the windings or the number of coils now)

I helped my daughter build a small motor for a school project the idea is basicaly the same just reversed! So I created a small generator using cheep magnets. Both projects worked so it isn't impossible I had thought of creating my own wood wind generator for the log home, though it would be a cool add!  When I create one I want it to stand the test of time!As of now I'm slowly gathering the parts!

The stronger the magnet the better (guess thats why rare earth ones are recommended!