DIY Gumball Machine

Hi Chat!

As you can see in the photo, I've contructed a big gumball machine to combat the fact that none of the gumballs I had could fit into the small keychain one I have. I made this machine 10 times larger than the small red one with larger capsules as well.

My name is Natalie and I'm a high student in Canada who also takes part in the STEAM program. My science teacher recommended this contest to our class and I decided to put my hobby of making cardboard crafts into use which led me to create this project in the first place. This is also my first Instructable so please let me know what improvements I can make!

• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors or a Box Cutter
• Hot Glue Gun
• 1 Large Cardboard Box
• Cardboard Pieces
• Plastic Fish Bowl
• Sponge
• Empty Toy Capsules
• Gumballs
• Decoration Supplies (Paints, Stickers, Markers)

Firstly, we're going to sketch how the gumball machine will look using a blank piece of paper. I am taking the mini gumball keychain as a reference and trying to make the outer appearance as similar as possible. 

I recommend using the mechanism that I have sketched with the sponge since it is the simplest and easiest concept to replicate. 

Draw the push handle and the prize shoot onto the large cardboard box.

Then cut them out and remember to keep both cut out pieces as it will be used in a later step.

The prize shoot consists of a ramp where the capsules will fall down into and a wall surrounding it.

Firstly, apply the walls on the sides of the opening. The height should be the same as the height of the prize shoot outline. 

Nextly, use the prize shoot cut out from the previous step for the bottom of the ramp. Make sure to glue it below the opening so if the capsules fall down you will be able to collect it without them rolling away.

Finally, measure the last cardboard piece of the ramp so the width is identical to the width of the prize shoot cut out. The length should approximately be the same as the length as the box you are using. Glue this piece so it is tilted upward creating the ramp.

Trace the top of the box onto another piece of cardboard.

Cut out a square that is approximately an inch away from the edge that is big enough for the capsules to fall through.

Glue this platform right below the push handle hole and make sure the closer part of the square is facing the front of the machine.

In this step you will need to use the push handle cut out from step two. Use it to create seven identical pieces (You will have eight of these pieces in total as shown in the photo). In addition to this, you will need the sponge and two long strips of cardboard that have the same width as the push handle. 

Glue the two strips to the sides of one of the push handle cutouts.

Then enclose the front part of the handle with three other cut out pieces.

Measure the size of the capsule with the length of the push handle and place another piece of cardboard there. Create another box-like enclosement with the remaining cutouts of cardboard that you have.

Cut off the excess cardboard from the handle and hot glue the sponge onto it.

Place the handle into the machine and if there is space behind the sponge create a wall of cardboard to put behind it.

Firstly, trace the top part of the box on a separate piece of cardboard for the fish bowl to rest on. After this, use the fish bowl to create a circular hole. Glue this onto the box before you move onto your next step.

Use three scrap pieces of cardboard to create the funnel shape below the platform holding up the fish bowl.

The funnel should consist of a space big enough for the capsules to fall into.

The hole should be at the front part of the box on top of the push handle compartment.

* The measurements will vary based on the size of your box. However, the design should relatively stay the same.

Draw a hole that is big enough for the empty toy capsules to fit in at the bottom of the fish bowl and carefully cut out the hole using a pair of scissors or box cutter tools. I recommend heating up the edge of your tools so the plastic will cut easier.

Trace the bottom of the bowl on a piece of cardboard and cut out the circle. 

Use two long pieces of cardboard for the circumference of the lid and glue them onto the cardboard cut out. 

On the circular piece of cardboard, make a square that is the same size as the previously cut out hole in the fish bowl. Only cut three of the four sides of the square so the flap created can be lifted easily.

Attach a small handle made of cardboard at the centre of the lid using hot glue.

After making the lid, hot glue it onto the top of the bowl where you cut out your hole.

Then, glue the finished fish bowl onto your machine where the funnel was created.

The last step is to decorate the gumball machine!

I decided to paint mine blue and yellow but there is no limit to this step. In addition to this, I also added some stickers that were Sanrio themed to the sides and front of the machine.

If you do decide to paint your gumball machine I recommend using acrylic paint since it dries quickly however, you can colour it with anything you have at home.

If you guys have any questions let me know and I'll be happy to answer them!!