Making a coin mechanism

[Hambo3]

Hi,
First time poster. Was wondering if anyone has built or can offer some advise on making a coin door/mechanism.
I've just completed my 1st (and probably last!) cabinet and getting into the whole 'Do it yourself' thing so really fancied having a go at 'literaly' making the whole thing myself, which includes the coin mech!

I had some ideas but both have failed miserably now I'm a bit stuck.
My 1st thought was to let the coin slide down a chute and hit a microswitch at the bottom but the coin (uk 10p) isnt heavy enough and just bounces off. My next idea was to replace the switch with 2 wires, one each side of the chute that the coin would pass between making the connection but the coin moves too fast and the connection is made too short to register.
I also tried reducing the incline of the chute to slow it down but still produces random results.

I'm thinking I may need to resort to electronics to resolve this one, hopefully not.

Ideas?

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Hambo3.

You might try a different switch like one of these.

Another option is this 10p mech.


Scott

[EightBySix]

I tried to do the same thing. This was my attempt

I discovered that a regular coin mech is really a coin reject mech, ensuring everything but the 10p is rejected. Then you just send a pulse if something gets through.

You can also get coin switches. Like a microswitch with a wire attached to act as a lever

[Hambo3]

Cheers for the info guys. Love that mech EightBySix.

That switch looks interesting PL1.

Now I know what to look for. Might try a combination of the 2!

[Minwah]

If you decide to buy one as PL1 linked to, I just found this place that sell them (slightly cheaper):

http://www.hazelelectronics.co.uk/mechanical_coin_mechanisms.htm

I just bought one for myself, £35 delivered (inc VAT).

[Nephasth]

I say go the toilet paper roll route:


 

[eds1275]

That toilet paper route was actually similar to what I ended up doing...



Mine now eats ALL coins, but only gives credits when the right size is dropped in. Just like a real arcade!