Tips From the Moving Company 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, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially glance, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The bulk of modern-day pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years or so) have a hinge system which enables 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 on machines have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to remove the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key 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 large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. You may wish to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they need to 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 protect 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 need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.
When opened, 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 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 maker. You might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to remove the plugs, as the electrical wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure 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 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 needs no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. 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.
You need to get inside if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied 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 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).
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 safeguard 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 Maker legs are held in location by 8 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 damaged, and making use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will need to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and lift up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Move 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 need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have 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 changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you fill it, make certain you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
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 machine. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the maker in, then eliminate the back legs. It is much simpler to pack the device front.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need 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 acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some newer 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 use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be much easier moving specialty items to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.