The Gumball Machine

 by stumitch
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This project is used often here in Langley BC for grade 8 Woodwork classes. I've been using it for the last few years. At first I thought the kids wouldn't be interested but they are REALLY excited about this project and since than the kids have built 100's. This Instructable is meant for the shop class but anyone with a drill press can do it.

Here are the Learning Objectives:
-The student will learn to  Measure and Layout a design than apply that knowledge in a practical and fun project.
-The student shall demonstrate the safe use and setup of a drill press.
-The student learn the effective use of sandpaper with wood.
-The student will use creative design and problem solving to build a unique design with wood.

Materials:
-Wood Blank approx 3" by 3" by 5"
-Assorted pieces of 1/8", 3/8", 1/2" plywood or solid wood.
-1 piece of 1" dowel... about 4" long.
-Assorted dowel pieces... 1/2" diameter works well.
-1 Canning Jar. 500ml is best.

Tools:
-1" Forstner drill bit.  (i have 3 set up on 3 different drill presses.)
-1/2" Forstner drill bit (for attaching leg dowels)
-3/4" Forstner drill bit (for drilling hole in gumball dispenser)
-Drill press
-Assorted clamps (Jorgensen's work really well)
-Sandpaper 120G, 180G
-Band saw or scroll saw

Submitted by HD Stafford Middle School  for the Instructables Sponsorship Program
 
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Step 1: Cut out the Blank

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The wood Blank I use is from cedar poles used in fencing. Don't use pressure treated stuff... it can be toxic. I put them through the jointer and planer so that they are 3" square. If you have higher level grades they can do this step but my students are a bit young to be doing this.

Set up the Bandsaw with a sliding fence and a clamp. Show the kids how to mark off 5" and cut. Encourage the students to take their time and cut slowly so the cut will be straight. You can use any saw you want to but i find the band saw works well. I use the "5 rule" which is:

-Keep guard 5mm above workpiece
-Keep fingers 5cm away from blade
-Keep all 5 of the digits on each hand.
Picturerazzi says: Mar 31, 2013. 3:53 AM
Great instructable!
stumitch (author) says: Nov 13, 2012. 10:12 AM
thanks!
bd000580 says: Nov 13, 2012. 8:19 AM
Fab instructable am making them with my Y8's too, we're in Nottingham UK so transatlantic co-operation at it's best. Will get photo's of them when they are fully made
Miss Vardy says: Oct 6, 2012. 12:26 AM
Made them with my Y8s (UK) fantastic project. Thanks so much.
stumitch (author) in reply to Miss VardyOct 7, 2012. 9:24 PM
excellent! i'd love to see some pics... i can show them to my students. i think they would be pretty impressed that a group of kids clear across the world made the same kind of project! glad to hear you tried it.
-stu
Little Mom on the Prairie says: Feb 28, 2012. 12:09 PM
Cute! Great Instructable, and good luck in the contest!
stumitch (author) in reply to Little Mom on the PrairieFeb 28, 2012. 1:31 PM
Thanks for the comment! some pretty stiff competition in the contest for sure.
tqwerty says: Jan 23, 2012. 4:39 PM
You misspelled Instructables on the board in the second step.
Otherwise, great 'ible.
I love all of your projects and hope to see more from you soon.
I'll bet you're a great teacher, too!
stumitch (author) in reply to tqwertyJan 24, 2012. 9:50 AM
yaurgh. caught out! i actually made the same mistake TWICE. I've fixed it by cropping out the offending word.. :-)
tqwerty in reply to stumitchJan 25, 2012. 7:59 PM
aha, awesome!
thekookie says: Jan 24, 2012. 4:12 PM
This is great I'm going to make one for myself since I'm no teacher!! Hehe!!
Thanks for posting this, it's really fun a creative!!
stumitch (author) in reply to thekookieJan 24, 2012. 7:40 PM
no problem! post a pic when you get it done!
jonnyd55 says: Jan 11, 2012. 2:52 PM
Hi, still love this project but I think i have noticed an issue... but i also have a solution :)

Unless i am mistaken it looks like the mechanism can be pulled out the front, resulting in a shower of gum raining onto the floor, before drilling the large hole for the dowel, use a small drill (4/5mm) drill all the way through the block, drill large hole, add dowel from front and add wood screw from back (not done up tight).......... thoughts? jonny :)
stumitch (author) in reply to jonnyd55Jan 11, 2012. 5:00 PM
Hey jonny! you are absolutely right... some of the teachers in our district put a small wood screw through the back. They drill a clearance hole through the block first so that it doesn't stop the dowel from turning. I have never had a problem with kids pulling it out though so i didn't include it... but i'll do that on the instructable tonight... thanks for the check!
-stu
skiedra says: Jan 10, 2012. 11:52 PM
That is absolutely unbelievable! I bet it would work very well as a birthday gift as well!
stumitch (author) in reply to skiedraJan 11, 2012. 10:35 AM
Thanks for the great comments! most people regardless of age seem to love gumball machines. I've had students come up with the most unbelievable machines with this project. really creative stuff.
nneul says: Jan 10, 2012. 7:39 PM
I love this! My kid will be making one for their teacher for valentines day since they are handing out gumball machine valentines for students.
stumitch (author) in reply to nneulJan 10, 2012. 10:02 PM
Thanks for the kind words! if you get one made be sure to fire pics to me and i'll include them in the instructable.
kunfumaster in reply to stumitchJan 11, 2012. 9:44 AM
i love gumballs!!!
caarntedd says: Jan 10, 2012. 9:43 PM
This is great! I have a real machine, and the mechanism is a bit more complicated than yours. I might be able to make this. Thanks for sharing.
stumitch (author) in reply to caarnteddJan 10, 2012. 9:59 PM
this is very do-able for sure!
jonnyd55 says: Jan 10, 2012. 10:40 AM
These are fun :) the kids must love them? ...... as a DT & Engineering teacher I really value the use of hand tools, do you teach projects that cover the traditional old school tools?
stumitch (author) in reply to jonnyd55Jan 10, 2012. 12:20 PM
oh ya the kids are nuts about them. the creative stuff i see is amazing. hand tools are vital as well to teach. the kids do a box with handsaws, planes and hand sandpaper too. thanks for the feedback!
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