Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make certain that these classic, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning look, pinball machines can appear daunting 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 4 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 included security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however in time the secret might have been lost. Quite often, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, but they must be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.
You can now get rid of the headbox entirely, 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 place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.
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.
Then, open up the back box lamp panel by raising the lock situated 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 require you to lift up the lamp 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 decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You may not have to remove the plugs, as the electrical wiring must my review here be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, 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 latch system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 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 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 useful reference 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 situated at the top of the back useful reference glass in the center. Utilize the supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to eliminate the screen panel. (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 utilize 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 eight bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
However 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 latch across and eliminate the lock down bar. Then 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 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 fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop all of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do 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).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.