Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a substantial revival throughout the country, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State machines.
Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the big connectors that have wiring decreasing into the maker. You may want to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make sure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the center.
As soon as unlocked, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up the back box lamp panel by lifting the latch situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up 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 secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.
You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to get within. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will have to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the light panel. There will be a lock located on either the right-hand or left-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 on Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Get rid of the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in place by 8 bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.
However these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will need to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch across and eliminate the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have actually been eliminated, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make sure to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Prior to you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transport.
If you are moving the read more pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to eliminate the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab 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 makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have have a peek here a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube weblink for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Grab a good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.