Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a huge renewal across the nation, Mild Giant wants to make certain that these classic, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
At very first glance, pinball devices can appear intimidating to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Luckily, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern-day 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 makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have 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 key might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
As soon as inside, remove the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may want to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will need to remove the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the center.
When opened, get rid of 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 raising 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 need you to raise 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 might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring ought to 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 latch system located at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of the device. This is an easy setup and needs no tools.
You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to navigate here protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to get within. There is a lock located at the top of More about the author the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and then 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 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 belongs to the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize 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 likewise help keep the back glass in place.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in location by 8 bolts. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be damaged, and using extra nuts may have been required. 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 lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Move 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 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 suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the machine. Grab a friend to assist and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the maker in, and after that remove the back legs. It is a lot easier to load the machine front first.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (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).
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 packing the device. Grab a buddy to help moving heavy items and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.