Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a big 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 look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our competent Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either 2 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 latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. 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 place.
Once inside, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large ports that have circuitry going down into the device. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they ought to be various sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox completely, 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 Strong State Pinballs, you will require to remove 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.
Once 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.
Then, open the back box light panel by lifting the latch located on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and offer 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 inside, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to remove 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 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 easily unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise help keep the back glass in place.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising 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 raising it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Remove 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.
Getting rid of the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise up the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You must 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.
Make certain to mark or keep in mind 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 ready to transport your pinball machine. Prior to you fill useful reference it, ensure 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 eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different 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).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler 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.