Coin Doors: Mini Over/Under or Single Door??

[Gamester]

So I originally purchased a full size over/under coin door for my project, like this:



I've come to the realization that it's going to be too tall to fit properly.  I'm debating on whether I should get one of the over/under mini coin doors like this:



...or if I should just get the small single door that doesn't come with a built in coin box, like this:



I assume the folks that are using the single door solution are just putting a bucket in the bottom of their cab and retrieving the coins through the coin door?  Is that a pain?  Does the door open enough to provide plenty of clearance around the mechs and stuff to comfortably reach down and retrieve the coins?

There is a $47 price difference between the mini over/under and the small single door.  I'm trying to determine if having the over/under type with the coin box built in is worth the extra money?

[Ken Layton]

Get the mini over/under with cash door.


You don't want just the single coin door only as coins would bounce all over inside the machine and possibly land across live AC power connections/distribution points.

[Beretta]

i'd say it's a personal choice i kinda like the looks of the single mini door.

to avoid the problem ken pointed out you could just build a shelf so that your container sits very close to the bottom of the door rather then sitting it on the bottom of the cab.

thats basically how the single door cabinets did it back in the day.

[Gamester]

i'd say it's a personal choice i kinda like the looks of the single mini door.

to avoid the problem ken pointed out you could just build a shelf so that your container sits very close to the bottom of the door rather then sitting it on the bottom of the cab.

thats basically how the single door cabinets did it back in the day.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yeah, I figured I could probably construct the coin box in such a way that would prevent stray coins.

So, I assume there's plenty of room to reach through and retrieve the coins with the single door setup, without disturbing the mechs, wiring, etc.?

[syph007]

If you don't have room for the full over under, I'd just pick the single.  Im sure there is plenty of room to reach through.  I reach through the top of my over/under to unlock my front door no problem, and attach usb devices etc.

[Gamester]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I went ahead and ordered a single door.

[Samstag]

My single-door coin catcher is a plastic rubbermaid container.  Something like this but with flatter sides.  I just went to Target or Walmart and found something the right size and shape.

I drilled a couple of oversized holes in it and hang it on two screws under the door.  I've never had a coin miss it.  I'd post a picture but I'm 200 miles and about 3 weeks from home.

[Silas (son of Silas)]

I am awaiting delivery of the small single door (bottom pic) from the states. My cab has nothing underneath the coin mech's so in the unlikely event of coin bounce, there's nothing that can short out.

I am going to form up a stainless steel coin box underneath to catch the quarters. I considered MDF but the sound would be all wrong.

[Gamester]

I am going to form up a stainless steel coin box underneath to catch the quarters. I considered MDF but the sound would be all wrong.

Silas, that's a good point.  Although the sound I remember had more to do with the inserted coin landing on the pile of other coins inside, rather than any acoustic qualities of the container itself.  I know the coin catcher in my existing over/under door is made of plastic, as is probably the case for many of them.

I may just have to make sure I leave some coins in the bottom at all times, to ensure I always get that sound.    

[Beretta]

i agree i think the unique sound came from landing on already deposited coins rather then the container/buckets material.

[protokatie]

i agree i think the unique sound came from landing on already deposited coins rather then the container/buckets material.

Partially correct. The sound of a coin going into a coinbox that is nearly empty is much different than when there are coins in it. You can almost tell how full the coin box is based on sound.
Regardless, if someone wanted a more authentic sound with a tupperware container, they just need to make sure they leave a good bit of spare change in the "coinbox", as gamester pointed out.

EDIT: Another cheap idea that may work, get an old metal hubcap* and place that in the bottom of the container (or duct tape card paper around the sides to prevent stray coins). This should help make the hollow clinking sound that a nearly empty coinbox makes, and then transition to the sound of a more full coinbox as it fills up. ( * Car hubcap, sheetmetal ashtray, baking pan, etc)

[Beretta]

i agree i think the unique sound came from landing on already deposited coins rather then the container/buckets material.

Partially correct.

um.. ok then what did i get wrong? you basically repeated what gamester already said and i was agreeing with.

[protokatie]

i agree i think the unique sound came from landing on already deposited coins rather then the container/buckets material.

Partially correct.

um.. ok then what did i get wrong? you basically repeated what gamester already said and i was agreeing with.

I was making a point of the sound from an empty coin box versus one that already had coins in it. In a nearly empty coinbox the sound is more from the container/bucket's material.

[Beretta]

well obviously, i mean it wouldn't get it's unique sound from other coins if they're not there right?

i think most of us remember the sound with the coins as more often then not thats the sound you would get after a layer or two of coins had been deposited they could still hold much more then that.

[protokatie]

well obviously, i mean it wouldn't get it's unique sound from other coins if they're not there right?

i think most of us remember the sound with the coins as more often then not thats the sound you would get after a layer or two of coins had been deposited they could still hold much more then that.

Point, and understood.

Still, I like my idea of using a baking pan instead of tupperware. I have a real over under, but had considered using plastic ware before. Not to continue too much along the line: but maybe as a test it would be interesting to hear what the difference is. Hell, even a cheap "one-time-use" turkey pan... I am prolly looking too much into this, but for some every little anal bit counts 

[Encryptor]

You can buy metal coin boxes cheap on Ebay. I see them all the time. That's what I did.

Encryptor