Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a huge revival throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
At first glimpse, pinball devices can appear frightening to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. Luckily, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks 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 approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to the early Solid State machines.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you have to remove the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally 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.
When within, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have wiring going down into the device. You may desire to identify these adapters to put them back in the right 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will require to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three locations: 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 raising 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 need you to raise the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the machine. You may wish to label 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 allow 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 latch system located at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied key, 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 a simple setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. 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.
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. Use the supplied key to unlock, and remove 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. (Some newer 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).
Get rid of the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you utilize 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 place.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in location by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
These threaded plates and captive nuts can be damaged, and the use of 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 latch across and remove the lock down bar. 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 need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When 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.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Grab a buddy to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the Source front legs.
Ensure 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 acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some newer 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).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler 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.