Are you tired of sorting through your loose change to find those valuable copper pennies? Look no further! In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of building your own copper penny sorting machine. With a little bit of time and effort, you can create a device that will save you hours of manual sorting and help you collect those valuable pre-1982 pennies. Let's get started!
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you begin building your copper penny sorting machine, you'll need to gather the following materials:
A coin sorter (preferably one with an adjustable coin slot size)
A small drill
A small piece of plastic or metal tubing
A strong magnet
A digital scale (preferably with a 0.1-gram accuracy)
A 9-volt battery
A small piece of copper wire
A multimeter
A small piece of wood or plastic (to create a ramp)
A container to collect the sorted pennies
Step 2: Modify the Coin Sorter
The first step in building your copper penny sorting machine is to modify the coin sorter. You'll want to adjust the coin slot size so that it is just large enough for a penny to pass through. This will ensure that only pennies are sorted by the machine.
Next, drill a small hole in the bottom of the coin sorter, just below the coin slot. This hole will be used to attach the tubing that will direct the pennies into the sorting area.
Step 3: Attach the Tubing
Cut a small piece of tubing (approximately 2-3 inches long) and attach it to the hole you drilled in the coin sorter. The tubing should be angled downward so that the pennies will slide down it and into the sorting area.
Step 4: Create the Sorting Area
Now it's time to create the sorting area. Place a strong magnet on a flat surface, and position the digital scale directly next to it. The magnet will help to separate the copper pennies from the newer, zinc-based pennies.
Next, create a ramp using a small piece of wood or plastic. The ramp should be positioned so that the pennies slide down it and onto the magnet and scale. The angle of the ramp should be gradual enough that the pennies don't gain too much speed and bounce off the magnet or scale.
Step 5: Set Up the Electrical Components
In order to accurately weigh the pennies, you'll need to connect the digital scale to a 9-volt battery. Attach a small piece of copper wire to the positive terminal of the battery, and connect the other end of the wire to the positive terminal of the scale. Use the multimeter to ensure that the connection is secure and that the scale is receiving power.
Step 6: Test Your Copper Penny Sorting Machine
Now that your copper penny sorting machine is complete, it's time to test it out! Place a container at the end of the ramp to collect the sorted pennies. Pour a handful of mixed pennies into the coin sorter and watch as they slide down the tubing, onto the ramp, and past the magnet and scale.
The magnet will attract the newer, zinc-based pennies, while the copper pennies will continue to slide down the ramp and into the container. The digital scale will weigh each penny as it passes, allowing you to easily determine which pennies are copper and which are not.
Step 7: Collect Your Copper Pennies
Once your copper penny sorting machine has successfully sorted through your loose change, you can collect the valuable copper pennies and store them for future use or sale. Remember, pre-1982 pennies are made of 95% copper and can be worth significantly more than their face value!
Conclusion
Building your own copper penny sorting machine may seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of effort and the right materials, you can create a device that will save you hours of manual sorting. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to collecting valuable copper pennies and making the most of your loose change. Happy sorting!
