Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a big resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
At very first glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their fragility, size, and weight. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The bulk of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Strong State makers.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but in time the secret might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, however they should be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now remove the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will need to remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in among 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the center.
When opened, get rid of the back glass by raising it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.
Then, open up the back box light panel by raising the latch located on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out towards you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise up the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, 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 right spot. You may not have to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry 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 Solid 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 provided 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 get redirected here 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.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get within. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied secret to unlock, and get rid of 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. Open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do this website not have a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Remove the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box click to read more onto the cabinet. Make sure 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.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Maker 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 using extra nuts may have been required. 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. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by positioning 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. 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.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later 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. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.