Introduction: Coin Sorting Machine (Runs on Gravity)
Tired of sorting coins manually? Coin sorting is a tiresome job. Let's make a wooden coin separator out of common materials! The sorter uses plain old gravity to separate the coins to their designated container. You know what that means! No more batteries!
What Made Me Build This?
Every time I go home from school, my pocket always gets full of coins. Once I arrive at my bedroom, I sort the coins to my 3 huge piggy banks. It's pretty tiresome thinking that I do this on a daily basis. So I thought of building a simple contraption that sorts coins by using gravity. The idea is pretty old, BTW.
Why Are There Only 3 Compartments?
There are six Philippine coins: 10 php, 5 php, 1 php, 25c, 10c, 5c. In my bedroom the 10 & 5 peso coins share the same piggy bank, both coins are the same in size by the way. The 1 peso coins has it's own piggy bank since it's the coin that has the highest quantity & it's pretty common. The 25, 10 & 5 centavo (cent) coins also share the same piggy bank since I barely get those.
Full Video Demo + Explanation:
Demo Video:
Step 1: Tools & Materials
Parts & Materials:
- MDF Material (your choice of wood)
- Bendy Straws
- 3.5mm Screws
- Foam Board
- Super Glue
Tools & Equipment:
- 3.5mm & 6mm Drill Bit
- Jigsaw (Hacksaw)
- Right Angle Ruler
- 48" Metal Ruler
- Electric Sander
- Eye Protection
- Portable Drill
- Gas Mask
Step 2: Cutting the Wood Panels
Measurements:
Rear Panel = 9" x 6.5"
Bottom Panel = 9"x 3.5"
Side Panels = 6" x 3.5"
Use a pencil and a ruler to mark the cutouts then cut the wood with your trusty jigsaw. The 2 middle dividers should have a small rectangular nick. That small cutout will be the passageway for the coins.
Step 3: Tips: Countersinking the Screw
Step 4: Drilling Holes for the Screw
Step 5: Assemble the Sorter's Enclosure
Step 6: Super Glue the Straw (Coin's Path)
2nd.) Drop superglue on the wood's surface.
3rd.) Position the straw in a diagonal manner, enough to make the coin travel.
Step 7: Making the Coin Sorting Mechanism
Try to experiment by changing the straw's gap. Certain coins should fall when the gap is to big for them other wise the coin will proceed to the next division.
1st.) Cut small fractions of straw, the size of the wall's width.
2nd.) Adjust the distance of the top straw from the lower straw.
3rd.) Apply small amounts of superglue ones you have finalized your straw's fixture.
4th.) Get a small piece of plastic then glue it on the upper right part of the straw. This flap will guide the coins to the proper direction.
Demo Video + Explanation:
Step 8: Silent Coin Drop Mod - Foaming (optional)
BTW you can add rubber feets to your coin separator.