Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: missioncontrol on September 14, 2004, 02:55:49 pm

Title: B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: missioncontrol on September 14, 2004, 02:55:49 pm
Anybody have any thoughts of building a token dispenser or change machine??? ???
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: KevSteele on September 14, 2004, 07:16:38 pm
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?
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: zaphod on September 15, 2004, 09:25:40 am
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.
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: missioncontrol on September 15, 2004, 03:16:06 pm
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
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: Bgnome on September 15, 2004, 03:41:58 pm
it would be neat to actually incorpoarte a bill validator, but those things cost over $300 from happs..
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: pointdablame on September 15, 2004, 04:18:27 pm
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...???  
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: abrannan on September 15, 2004, 04:37:18 pm
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.
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: Bgnome on September 15, 2004, 04:48:34 pm
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?
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: Matt, GoC on September 16, 2004, 01:27:56 am
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!
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: DrewKaree on September 16, 2004, 11:40:01 pm
P.P.S. Yay, my 100th post!
Floyd10, is this your brother?  Or is this ACTUALLY JAMES ST JAMES JR!?!?!?!?!?
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: Matt, GoC on September 17, 2004, 01:55:10 am
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...
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: DrewKaree on September 17, 2004, 09:36:37 pm
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
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: Matt, GoC on September 18, 2004, 03:04:44 am
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 ;D !
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: abrannan on September 19, 2004, 09:12:39 am
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?  
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: hulkster on September 19, 2004, 08:59:31 pm
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!
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: missioncontrol on September 20, 2004, 03:08:24 pm
Quote
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....
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: johnnysmitch on September 22, 2004, 03:03:37 pm
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.
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: Snarbald on September 23, 2004, 01:35:39 am
Now I'm imagining people kicking midgets in the junk for money....thanks guys. ;)
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: andrewonawall on September 23, 2004, 01:45:37 am
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!!!!!
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: KevSteele on September 23, 2004, 07:03:54 am
I don't want anything that takes money - just something that dispenses tokens in an "arcade like" manner.

Kevin
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: missioncontrol on September 23, 2004, 01:09:33 pm
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.

Quote
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/

Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: sonicflood on September 23, 2004, 08:49:28 pm
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
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: missioncontrol on September 30, 2004, 03:39:33 pm
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......
Title: Re:B Y O Token Dispenser
Post by: Chris on October 01, 2004, 10:38:09 am
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