B Y O Token Dispenser

[missioncontrol]

Anybody have any thoughts of building a token dispenser or change machine???

[KevSteele]

I've currently got my tokens in a fishbowl, but it would be very cool to have a "dispenser" or vending machine of some sort where visitors could push a button and get x number of tokens.

Anyone?

[zaphod]

I've finally (after almost two years) disabled my coin-up buttons and am using coins exclusively.   I am using Kevin's approach with a candy dish and would also be interested in a slick dispenser design.

[missioncontrol]

come on I know somebody out there's got something...

the best I can come up with is something somewhat like a gum-ball machine where you turn the handle and the tokens fall out. the area where they fall has to be metal to somewhat create the same sound as the real thing. the only problem is that it would be on the honor system that they did put their dollar in the designated area before they turned the handle.....


hmmmm...I got it in my head but will it work on paper

[Bgnome]

it would be neat to actually incorpoarte a bill validator, but those things cost over $300 from happs..

[pointdablame]

I have a bill acceptor/validator on my Midway cab, but don't really know how to use it.  

This would be a neat idea though.  I thought I remembered someone saying that change machines went pretty cheap at auctions...  

[abrannan]

In a nutshell, a bill validator sends a number of pulses based upon the bill inserted, so you'd just have to rig up a mechanism that would dispense a token (or tokens) whenever a pulse was received.

[Bgnome]

but then how would you have 1 pulse equal 1 token?  maybe send them through a coin mech with an EM gate that closes once 4 tokens have dropped?

[Matt, GoC]

Just steal one from an arcade somewhere.  Preferably another state.  All you're out is gas money.

P.S. Don't do this.
P.P.S. Yay, my 100th post!

[DrewKaree]

P.P.S. Yay, my 100th post!

Floyd10, is this your brother?  Or is this ACTUALLY JAMES ST JAMES JR!?!?!?!?!?

[Matt, GoC]

P.P.S. Yay, my 100th post!

Floyd10, is this your brother?  Or is this ACTUALLY JAMES ST JAMES JR!?!?!?!?!?

Umm... What?  Elaborate a bit more...

[DrewKaree]

Umm... What?  Elaborate a bit more...

Hey, quit stealing my lines.  dagnabbit..

so's ya know...

"Elaborate a bit more"^{TM 2004}

or do I need a copyright...man these intellectual property rights things are hard

[Matt, GoC]

Umm... What?  Elaborate a bit more...

Hey, quit stealing my lines.  dagnabbit..

so's ya know...

"Elaborate a bit more"^{TM 2004}

or do I need a copyright...man these intellectual property rights things are hard

Well, your best bet is to register the copyright, so you can put the little R in a circle thingy above it.  Then you have the right to sue !

[abrannan]

but then how would you have 1 pulse equal 1 token?  maybe send them through a coin mech with an EM gate that closes once 4 tokens have dropped?

 No, your token dispensing mechanism would kick one token out each time a pulse was received.   Ever look at the automatic change dispensers at a grocery store?  

[hulkster]

dude, just go get a midget, and put a bunch of tokens in his pocket, and place him beside your cab.  then when people come up and want to play, they just give him money, and he gives tokens....problem solved!

[missioncontrol]

dude, just go get a midget, and put a bunch of tokens in his pocket, and place him beside your cab.  then when people come up and want to play, they just give him money, and he gives tokens....problem solved!

Not alot of midgets around here.....could pass along the task to my 6 year old, but chances are he'd use up all the tokens himself and still take everyone's money....

[johnnysmitch]

dude, just go get a midget, and put a bunch of tokens in his pocket, and place him beside your cab.  then when people come up and want to play, they just give him money, and he gives tokens....problem solved!

no no no, not interactive enough.  now if you had to PUNCH the midget to get your tokens, then I'd be on board for this one.

[Snarbald]

Now I'm imagining people kicking midgets in the junk for money....thanks guys.

[andrewonawall]

No, punching anything. There has got to be a way to cheaply rig up one of these things. I would like a bill validator or something that can take peoples money......I've got an arcade to pay for!!!!!

[KevSteele]

I don't want anything that takes money - just something that dispenses tokens in an "arcade like" manner.

Kevin

[missioncontrol]

I've drawn up a rough sketch. I'm going to scan and post it this weekend.....it's kinda primitive but a start and with the rest of the knowledge on this board it'll get better.

Posted by: andrewonawall  Posted on: Today at 01:45:37am  
No, punching anything. There has got to be a way to cheaply rig up one of these things. I would like a bill validator or something that can take peoples money......I've got an arcade to pay for!!!!!  

I'm thinking a cheep way to make something take in the money like a validator would be to hack a cheap paper shreeder *replace the blades with round peices of rubber* you could use the switch and motor to run it...have a small box under it for the $$$ to fall in..


EDIT.... O.K. I went ahead and put the pic on a free webhost. take a look and add your coments...

http://www.freewebs.com/tokens/

[sonicflood]

I 'm going to use a slot machine for my token dispenser.  Works great for me and the visiting family.  I bought mine for $150.00.  I can set it to pay out in credits or coins (tokens).  I can also adjust the payout percent.  I plan to se it to a high payout.

It's a japanese unit and very well made.  Makes all sorts of fun sounds.  

Scott

[missioncontrol]

does anyone think this will even work?

http://www.freewebs.com/tokens/

or do you think it will jam as you turn the knob?

I'll try to figure out some realistic measurements when I get a chance......

[Chris]

does anyone think this will even work?

http://www.freewebs.com/tokens/

The problem I see is that you have to put in all your tokens on edge, as opposed to just dumping them in a hopper.

Take a look at gumball machines; the same basic theory could be applied, although the exact number of tokens dispensed would not be consistent.

How about four 1" tubes set above a stop by the thickness of the token?  Behind the stop is a blade activated by a solenoid; when the solenoid is activated, four tokens are kicked out.

--Chris