Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, beautiful machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
At first look, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, size, and weight. Thankfully, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The majority of modern pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.
Later on makers have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included security, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these connectors to put them back in the best spot, however they must be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.
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 location.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will need to remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of 3 places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the center.
Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by lifting it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that pull it out from the bottom.
Then, open 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 require 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 identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must 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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to get inside. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. 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 eliminate the screen panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (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 find more info use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Get rid of 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 likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating 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.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and using 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 latch across and remove the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by positioning 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 actually been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make sure to mark or remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to carry your pinball device. Prior to you pack it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be easier to remove the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove the headbox rear access 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 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 may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.