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:

Tools & Materials

I didn't spend anything since I have all the tools, parts & materials in our backyard (inventory).

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

Cutting the Wood Panels

Ok, start designing your box. Remember, since each country has a different number of coins, we probably don't have have the same number of dispenser divisions. But if you want to make the exact wooden box that I made, just follow the measurements below.

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.

Tips: Countersinking the Screw

Use a larger bit to countersink the screw. This prevents the screw from protruding over the wood's surface. This does not apply to flat headed screws.

Drilling Holes for the Screw

I've now graduated from using woodglue to using screws & nails. I wanted to make this project as dry as possible so I used screws instead of woodglue. 3.5mm screws works best with 1/2" thick wood. Also, try to buy flat headed screws for you to omit the countersinking process.

Assemble the Sorter's Enclosure

After drilling all the holes as planned. You can now start to screw the wood panels to form the coin sorter's box.

Super Glue the Straw (Coin's Path)

1st.) Get a bendy straw and cut of the bendy area.
2nd.) Drop superglue on the wood's surface.
3rd.) Position the straw in a diagonal manner, enough to make the coin travel.

Making the Coin Sorting Mechanism

How Does It Work?
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:

Silent Coin Drop Mod - Foaming (optional)

When the coins drop to their designated container, the sound can sometimes be irritating. I found a foam board from my Arts & Crafts supply cabinet. I've cut small rectangular foams to dampen the sound of falling coins.

BTW you can add rubber feets to your coin separator.

Adding a See-Through Wall

I ran out of clear acrylic so I substituted it with a thick piece of Acetate (OHP Film).

Making the Top Cover

I used an illustration board to cover my coin sorter's top panel.