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 desires to make sure that these classic, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning look, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most 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 utilize this system, along with the early Solid State makers.
Later on machines have hinges and use 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 have to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but in time the secret might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. You may want to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they ought to be various sizes, making it hard 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 assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
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.
Open up the back box light 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 give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise the lamp panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might 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 needs to 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 weblink system located at the back of the headbox. Utilizing 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 maker. This is a basic setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Make sure 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.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to get within. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. 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 have to get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent 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).
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. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be removed, and the legs will come off.
These captive nuts and threaded plates 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 placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. 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 certain you get rid of 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 simply prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have a peek here need to stop all of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove 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 utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.