Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
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 the people moving them to be safe, too.
At very first look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years or so) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, along with the early Solid State makers.
Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to access 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. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the maker. You may want to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they need to be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.
You can now remove the headbox totally, 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 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 among 3 areas: 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.
Open up 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 require you to raise 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 need to remove the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, 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 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.
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 secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will have to get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light panel. There will be a lock situated 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 more info a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure 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.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are kept in location by 8 bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.
But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may 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 raise the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually 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 adjusted in a different way to match.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before you load it, make sure you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
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 loading the machine. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to 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 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 remove the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.