BYO Vending Machine :)

[NiN^_^NiN]

Ok i've got most parts i need for the vending machine.

I'll Update this list with more stuff soon im off to build the rails first off.

3 x 25mm Butt Hinges
8 x Pine Pieces (size 42 x 19 1.3)

[Generic Eric]

I think its a neat idea.  I had a chance to get an old coke machine from the 70's but didn't really have a place to but it in the garage. 

I know a guy that used to run a bar or had a friend that ran a bar...I don't remember which, but anyway, he had one of those industrial strength aluminum margarita machine.  I would like some thing like that....and find away to mount in the freezer section of the of fridge. 

It would be neat to combine that with a barmonkey.  If you had a big enough fridge, you could fit a keg, or at least a pony keg in there to for a kegerator. 

BTW, good on ya for doing this and offering to share, but I think you might be over thinking the can holder parts and dispenser assembly



Check out Toby and the inards of his machine.  What I figure you need is an assebly that will not only hold all of those cans as shown, but will also allow a switch to release one can at a time.

edit 1 to fix the picture positioning.
edit 2 add this link http://www.bitw.com/bitwrestorations.htm  Check out this page

[NiN^_^NiN]

i've got most of the unit done just need to do the mechanism to dispense cans but i've tested it and it holds 15 cans and they flow smoothly through the rails.

I did create a few mistakes but it looks pretty good once the excess wood is trimmed off 

I didnt get to finish cause it started raining and i didnt have anywere i could continue working.

Bad news tho is that im going to my auntys place to see my cousin who's been overseas for 2 years.

so i can't work on it till next saturday

and my sister has lost the usb cable for her camera and my old camera is dead so i can't take any pics.

I'll see if i can get some AAA for the old camera sometime tonight so u get an idea of what it looks like

[quarterback]

Check out Toby and the inards of his machine.  What I figure you need is an assebly that will not only hold all of those cans as shown, but will also allow a switch to release one can at a time.

Hey NIN, I know you're already on the road to success here, but this picture that g_eric posted seems like a simpler design.  (which might explain why it's how the real vending machines di it)

All you'd need to do is add a solenoid at the bottom to kick out one can and you'd be good to go.  That way you'd eliminate the complexities of the spinning paddlewheel etc.    It could even be made 'cooled' as well (for those of us who like our beer cold)   A solenoid pushes a can out through a door flap, the solenoid retracts, the cans all drop down one more and you're reloaded for next time.

Just a thought

[quarterback]

Something like this.   The drawing on the left is the front view and the one on the right is a side/perspecive view.  Have a "can sized block" push one can out through a little (insulated) door (making the pusher be can-sized will prevent the other cans from falling immediately) and then it retracts, allowing the other cans to fall into place.

[NiN^_^NiN]

My rail system changed when i was making it and it's not really complex its just 4 poles to hold the cans in and make sure they don't slip out of the side.

I did think about a solanoid but i don't know how to have it so it only kicks 1 can out its not reliable in my head but i probably haven't got my head fully around it yet.

Wish i could take a pic for u guys to see it to see how the design changed it really isn't that comnplicated.

[NiN^_^NiN]

I got a pic finally altho it looks crap i had to use the batterie from my remote and the cams dead again 

But here it is

The design was tweaked when i was building i've got it all worked out now and it will look better than it does here.

I haven't got the mechanism done yet cause of rain but the rails at the bottom need to have the mechanism to be spaced properly.

Also the piece in the middle at the top folds out (hinged) so u can load the cans in without them dropping all the way down the rails and roll to the mechanism (the cans shouldn't be dropped)

I know it doesn't look too good right now but it was the test :p

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/aussie_ninja/vend.jpg

So what u guys think so far?

[Generic Eric]

Cool.  It's good to see you are progressing.  How tall do you plan on this being?  I am looking forward to seeing more.

[NiN^_^NiN]

Well right now its not really tall at all im at work so i can't measure for you but it holds quite afew cans

I was thinking of finding an old cabinet at a garage sale and strip it to make look like a vending machine and screw the rails etc inside the cabinet.

It works great right now i just gotta make the paddle for the cans to only comeout one at a time but the 15 degree angle is enough for the weight of the cans to push themselfs down even when its on the last can it will roll down which is good.

I'll see if i can get started on the mechanism tonight and do a quick test run.