Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Device

With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Gentle Giant wants to make certain that these classic, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

At very first glance, pinball devices can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of modern pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.

Later on machines have hinges and use 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 mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but gradually the secret may have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large adapters that have circuitry going down into the device. You might desire to label these ports to put them back in the ideal area, but they ought to be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.

You can now eliminate the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain 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 Solid State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.

Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by raising 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 lamp panel by lifting the lock situated 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 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 going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not require to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can secure the light panel and change 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 machine. 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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.

You need to get inside if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the provided secret to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to eliminate the screen panel. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different 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).

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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help 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 navigate here or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using extra nuts may 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 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 should 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 More about the author adjusted differently to fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the device. Grab a buddy to help and have one of you Get More Info supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate 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 utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to eliminate the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.