Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, 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.
Initially look, pinball machines can appear intimidating to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The bulk of modern 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 makers.
Later machines have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but gradually the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have wiring going down into the device. You might 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 improperly.
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 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 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 lift 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 maker. You may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring should 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 lock system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing 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 device. This find this is an easy setup and needs 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
You need to get within if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to get rid of the display 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).
Remove the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box 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.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may 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 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. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and lift the playfield up.
You ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once 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 in a different way to match.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
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 maker. Get a good friend to assist and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the machine in, and then remove the back legs. It is much simpler to pack the machine front.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega see here and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.