Tips From the Moving Company Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Gentle Giant desires to make certain that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially 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
The bulk 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 use this system, together with the early Strong State machines.
Later machines have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you require to remove the headbox rear access panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs within. Usually 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.
As soon as inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big adapters that have wiring going down into the device. You might wish to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate 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.
As soon as unlocked, remove 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 lamp 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 lift 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 going down into the device. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must 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 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 machine. 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 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 location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to enter. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use the provided secret to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it becomes part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize 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.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The contemporary 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.
But these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been required. If this holds true, you will have 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. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, lift up the playfield by putting 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 navigate here transport your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to packing the device. Get a pal to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the machine in, and then remove the back legs. It is a lot easier to fill the maker front initially.
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 require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire 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 click to read more use 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. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.