Introduction
Welcome to the world of penny sorting! In this blog post, we will show you how to build a homemade copper penny sorting machine that will help you separate copper pennies from zinc ones. Copper pennies are becoming increasingly valuable due to their metal content, and having a reliable way to sort them can be a great asset for collectors and investors alike. So, let's dive into the world of penny sorting and learn how to create a DIY copper penny sorting machine that will make your life easier and more profitable.
Materials and Tools Needed
To build your own copper penny sorting machine, you will need the following materials and tools:
1. A plastic or metal container (large enough to hold a decent number of pennies)
2. A small electric motor (preferably with variable speed control)
3. A plastic or metal funnel
4. A small piece of PVC pipe (about 1 inch in diameter and 3-4 inches long)
5. A small piece of copper sheet (about 3 inches square)
6. A small piece of zinc sheet (about 3 inches square)
7. A small piece of aluminum sheet (about 3 inches square)
8. A small piece of steel sheet (about 3 inches square)
9. A small piece of neodymium magnet
10. A small piece of plastic or metal mesh (about 6 inches square)
11. A small piece of wood or plastic (about 6 inches square and 1/4 inch thick)
12. A small piece of rubber or foam (about 6 inches square and 1/4 inch thick)
13. A small piece of Velcro (about 6 inches long)
14. A small piece of electrical tape
15. A small piece of double-sided tape
16. A small piece of string or wire (about 12 inches long)
17. A small piece of sandpaper (about 3 inches square)
18. A small piece of cloth or paper towel (about 3 inches square)
19. A small piece of pencil or pen (about 3 inches long)
20. A small piece of paper or cardboard (about 3 inches square)
21. A small piece of glue or adhesive (such as super glue)
22. A small piece of solder (about 1 inch long)
23. A small piece of heat shrink tubing (about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch in diameter)
24. A soldering iron
25. A pair of pliers
26. A pair of wire cutters
27. A pair of scissors
28. A drill and drill bits
29. A screwdriver
30. A ruler or tape measure
31. A marker or pen
32. A level or straight edge
33. A pair of safety goggles
34. A pair of gloves
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to build your own copper penny sorting machine:
1. Prepare the container: Start by cleaning and drying your container. Then, drill a hole in the center of the bottom of the container, large enough to fit the PVC pipe. Insert the PVC pipe into the hole and secure it with glue or adhesive.
2. Attach the motor: Attach the electric motor to the bottom of the container using double-sided tape or Velcro. Make sure the motor is centered and level with the PVC pipe.
3. Create the funnel: Cut a hole in the bottom of the funnel, large enough to fit the PVC pipe. Attach the funnel to the top of the PVC pipe using glue or adhesive.
4. Prepare the metal sheets: Cut each metal sheet into a circle with a diameter slightly larger than the PVC pipe. Sand the edges of the circles to remove any sharp edges.
5. Attach the metal sheets: Attach the copper, zinc, aluminum, and steel sheets to the inside of the PVC pipe using glue or adhesive. Make sure to space them out evenly along the length of the pipe.
6. Install the magnet: Attach the neodymium magnet to the end of the string or wire. Then, attach the other end of the string or wire to the bottom of the container, near the motor.
7. Create the mesh screen: Cut the plastic or metal mesh into a circle with a diameter slightly larger than the PVC pipe. Then, attach the mesh screen to the top of the PVC pipe using glue or adhesive.
8. Assemble the sorting platform: Attach the wood or plastic piece to the rubber or foam piece using glue or adhesive. Then, attach the Velcro to the bottom of the wood or plastic piece.
9. Attach the sorting platform: Attach the sorting platform to the top of the container using the Velcro. Make sure the platform is centered and level with the PVC pipe.
10. Test the machine: Turn on the motor and adjust the speed to a slow setting. Drop a few pennies into the funnel and watch as they travel down the PVC pipe, past the metal sheets, and onto the sorting platform. The magnet should attract the steel pennies, while the copper, zinc, and aluminum pennies should
