Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a huge revival throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make certain that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially look, pinball machines can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Thankfully, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The majority of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years approximately) have a hinge system which permits 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 may also be two bolts inside as included security, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but gradually the secret might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have wiring going down into the device. You might wish to identify these connectors 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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in location.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of 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 on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
As soon as opened, get rid of the back glass by lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.
Then, 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 to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise up 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 want to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure the light panel and change the back glass.
Modern Strong 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.
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.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch 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 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 Device legs are held in location by eight bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using extra nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will need 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that might have been used. Once any nuts have been removed, change 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 differently to suit.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to transfer your pinball maker. 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 utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply find more info prior to packing the device. Grab a 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 all of a sudden!
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 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 simpler to remove the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.