Are you tired of manually sorting through your coin collection in search of valuable copper pennies? Look no further! In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of building your very own copper penny sorting machine. With this handy device, you can easily separate copper pennies from other coins, saving you time and effort. So, let's dive into the world of coin sorting and learn how to build a copper penny sorting machine in just a few simple steps!
Materials and Tools Needed
Before we start, make sure you have the following materials and tools ready:
1. A coin sorter (preferably one that can handle pennies)
2. A strong magnet
3. A small plastic container
4. Copper wire
5. A digital scale (optional)
6. A power drill
7. A small piece of wood or plastic
8. Screws
9. Screwdriver
10. Pliers
11. Wire cutters
12. Safety goggles
Step 1: Preparing the Coin Sorter
First, you need to prepare your coin sorter for the modification process. Make sure it is clean and free of any debris. If your coin sorter has a specific slot for pennies, this will make the process even easier. If not, you might need to make some adjustments to ensure that only pennies pass through the sorting mechanism.
Step 2: Attaching the Magnet
Next, you need to attach the magnet to the coin sorter. The purpose of the magnet is to attract and separate the non-copper pennies from the copper ones. Non-copper pennies are made of zinc and have a thin copper coating, which makes them magnetic.
Find a suitable location on the coin sorter where the magnet can be attached. This should be a spot where the pennies pass through after being sorted. Attach the magnet using screws, making sure it is secure and won't interfere with the sorting mechanism.
Step 3: Creating the Copper Penny Collection Container
Now that the magnet is in place, you need to create a container to collect the copper pennies. Take your small plastic container and drill a hole in the bottom. The hole should be just large enough for a penny to pass through.
Attach the container to the coin sorter using screws, making sure it is positioned directly under the magnet. This way, when the copper pennies are separated from the non-copper ones, they will fall into the container.
Step 4: Adding the Copper Wire
To further improve the accuracy of your copper penny sorting machine, you can add a copper wire to the setup. This wire will help to attract the copper pennies and guide them towards the collection container.
Cut a piece of copper wire that is long enough to reach from the magnet to the container. Attach one end of the wire to the magnet and the other end to the inside of the container. Make sure the wire is taut and does not interfere with the sorting mechanism.
Step 5: Testing and Adjusting
Now that your copper penny sorting machine is complete, it's time to test it out. Run a batch of mixed pennies through the sorter and observe the results. The copper pennies should be attracted to the magnet and guided by the copper wire into the collection container.
If you find that some non-copper pennies are still making their way into the container, you might need to make some adjustments. You can try moving the magnet closer to the sorting mechanism or using a stronger magnet.
Step 6: Weighing and Verifying (Optional)
If you want to ensure the accuracy of your copper penny sorting machine, you can use a digital scale to weigh the pennies. Copper pennies weigh approximately 3.11 grams, while non-copper pennies weigh around 2.5 grams. By comparing the weight of the pennies in the collection container to the weight of the original batch, you can determine the accuracy of your sorting machine.
Conclusion
Building a copper penny sorting machine is a fun and practical project for coin collectors and hobbyists alike. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a device that will save you time and effort in sorting through your coin collection. Happy sorting!
