Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make certain that these traditional, stunning machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning 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
Most of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years approximately) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Solid State devices.
Later on makers have hinges and use a latching 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 makers, you have to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however in time the key 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 large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may desire to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging 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 have to remove the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
When opened, get rid of 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 light panel by raising the lock 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 the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are inside, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the maker. You might want to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You might not require to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure the light 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 latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of the device. 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 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the provided secret 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 require 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 original site a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and 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.
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 eliminated, and the legs will come off.
These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been required. If this is the case, you more info will have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise the playfield.
With the front website door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch across and remove the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, 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 differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need to remove 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 on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
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 pal to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.