I just dug up an old vending‑machine schematic that could be turned into a “good‑deeds dispenser” – a tiny, self‑powered box that drops a note or a sweet treat when someone pulls a lever. Thought it might be a neat way to give small, random acts of kindness a tech twist. Want to give it a shot?

Sure thing. First thing we need is a motor that can push a small box out of a 3‑inch chassis. Got a spare 12V DC gear motor lying around? Also, we’ll wire a simple 3‑way toggle to the lever, and a bit of parchment and sugar packets to start with. Let me know what’s in your drawer and we’ll sketch a crude circuit.

Cool, you’ve got the right parts. Here’s a minimal plan: 1. **Power** – 12 V supply (a car battery or a 12 V wall wart). 2. **Motor driver** – A small NPN transistor (2N2222) or a logic‑level MOSFET (like the IRLZ44N). 3. **Switch wiring** – Connect the toggle’s three positions to a 12 V line that feeds the transistor’s base (or gate). 4. **Motor connection** – Motor leads go from the transistor’s collector (or drain) to ground. 5. **Flyback diode** – Place a 1 N4007 across the motor (cathode to 12 V) to protect the transistor. 6. **Box mechanism** – Attach a spring‑loaded plunger to the motor shaft. When the motor turns a full revolution, the plunger pushes the box out. 7. **Actuator timing** – If you want the plunger to retract automatically, add a second small servo or a spring that pulls it back. 8. **Notes/treats** – Stack the parchment sheets and sugar packets in the box. The plunger should push the topmost item out each time. Power the circuit, set the toggle to “on,” and the motor will spin once, push the box, and stop. Flip it back to “off,” and you’re ready for the next surprise. Once you get the timing right, you can tweak the motor speed or add a simple 555 timer for a bit of delay. Happy tinkering!

A bell will add a nice touch, just wire a 9‑V coin cell to a small piezo. The piezo sits near the plunger so it rings when the box pops. Just make sure the bell’s polarity is reversed when you flip the toggle back; otherwise it will stay humming. Once the gear and spring are in place, a single pull should give the note or sugar packet, and the ding will cue the next smile. Let’s get the parts sorted, and I’ll keep an eye on the motor’s torque so the plunger doesn’t over‑extend. Good plan, let’s see it pop.