Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a huge resurgence throughout the nation, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, beautiful machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
At first glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our skilled Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.
Later machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the latch 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. 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 inside, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might 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 Strong State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to remove 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 on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
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.
Open up 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 towards you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to lift up the lamp panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are inside, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You may desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, 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. Ensure 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 place.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the supplied secret to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to eliminate the screen panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp 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 is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use 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. 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.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be moving heavy items either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be removed, and the legs will come off.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been required. If this holds true, you will have to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch across and remove the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and lift the playfield up.
You ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front moving specialty items door.
Make 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 all set to carry your pinball device. Prior to you pack it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.
It might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the device in, and after that remove the back legs. It is much easier to fill the maker front initially.
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 gain access to 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 using a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.