Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the country, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
At first look, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. Thankfully, our competent 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 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 two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Strong State makers.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to remove the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the secret might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they should be different sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.
You can now remove the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain 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 have to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.
When unlocked, remove the back glass by lifting it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up the back box lamp 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 lift up the lamp 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 going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring should 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 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 quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the maker. This is a simple setup and requires 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 location.
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. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to get rid of the display screen 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).
Eliminate 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 also help keep the back glass in place.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
But these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and making use of additional nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and lift up a fantastic read the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You need 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 fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
It may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the machine if you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes how to move a pinball machine the front legs. Move the maker in, then get rid of the back legs. It is much simpler to fill the maker front.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent Williams here 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 utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.