Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the country, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
At very first glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. Thankfully, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The majority of modern-day pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years or so) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you have to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get 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. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have wiring going down into the device. You might desire to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they should 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 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 Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.
Once 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.
Then, open 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 towards you, and provide you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise up the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are inside, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You might wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring needs to be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable lock system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided key, turn the latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is an easy setup and needs find this no tools.
You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain you use 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.
You require to get within if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to remove the display panel. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass more info panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate the two 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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in location by 8 bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will require to open 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. When any nuts have been removed, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Be sure to mark or remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the maker. Get a good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the machine in, and then get rid of the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, 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 much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.