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 wishes to ensure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move because of their fragility, size, and weight. 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 contemporary 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 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.
Later machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs inside. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the secret may have been lost. Quite frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the maker. You may wish to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back incorrectly.
You can now eliminate the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. 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 help 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 situated on the headbox in among three locations: 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 using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that pull it out from the bottom.
Open up the back box lamp panel by lifting the latch located 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 within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the machine. You may want to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, 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 supplied 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 requires no tools.
You're done if you can now 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.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the provided key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then 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 panel. And later 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 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 Maker legs are kept in location 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 eliminated, and the legs will come off.
These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional 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 raise up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have actually been eliminated, 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 in a different way to match.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your click to read more pinball device. Before you load it, make sure you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
It might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a buddy to have and help among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the device in, and then remove the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain 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 might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.