Tips From the Moving Company Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glance, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.
Later on machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the key may have been lost. Rather typically, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large adapters that have circuitry going down into the device. You might desire to label these ports to put them back in the ideal area, but they ought to be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.
You can now eliminate the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
As soon as opened, remove the back glass by lifting it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up the back box light panel by lifting the latch located on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to lift up the lamp panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might want to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You might not require to get rid of the plugs, as the click site wiring should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can secure the light panel and change the back glass.
Modern Strong State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system located at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied key, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the maker. This is a basic setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold my review here the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the useful reference bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it becomes part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Getting rid of the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and making use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and lift up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch across and remove the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to match.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Prior to you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the device. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.