This fun little project uses a small cigar box with a 'slide lid' and is a great example of how adding function can create something fun.
As far as I can understand the Drop Penny game is not copyrighted, but still not supposed to copy another manufacturer's exact design. A little research shows that this game was freely given in woodworking plans, children’s game, art collections, craft fairs, pubs and cottages.
Penny's are non-existent now in Canada, so I bumped it up to a quarter.
So how does a twisted mind like mine re-invent the wheel? By adding a super simple locking system so the owner can have a dual use Piggy Bank that features a locked lid. This design is part of the modules available in my Skool classroom.
Now, its not complicated or even a challenging puzzle, and yet the Drop Penny game is fun to play with family and friends.
Since I have a shit-ton of cigar boxes on hand, I thought it would be best to use one.
New challenges with executing fine operations like cutting these slots was a bit dicey on the first one, but they got better after I had done a few. I basically drilled the start and stop points for each slot, then set it down on the router bit (against a fence) and cut from one end to the next. I can agree a CNC would make this little job so much easier.
The slots 1,2,3,4,5 need a width that will not allow the 'Penny' to slide through. #6 will allow the penny to fall in.
The little metal numbers I placed below the slots were sourced from Amazon, high quality AND super finicky to put on.
I made up a nice little Knob with a brass pin through its center, a magnet keeps it from falling out when in the locked position.
When I move the loose Knob to a different hole the brass rod will push on the middle Lock Bar inside the box that will align with the pin on the underside of the lid.
This was certainly a fun and easy build, and makes for a great gift, just add a single dice and you are good to go.
Feel free to give it a go if you can sort out how its managed. ; )
