Tips From the Moving Company Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
At first glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. 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 four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Strong State machines.
Later on makers have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally 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 location.
Once within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports 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 difficult to plug back incorrectly.
You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top 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 then 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 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 decreasing into the maker. You may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to remove the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up 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 located at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.
You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also 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 situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided key 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 require to eliminate the display 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 Sega and Stern pinballs use 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. Ensure you utilize 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 click here back glass in location.
Getting rid of 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.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will require 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 get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe Sourcecheck over here location. Next, raise 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 adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
It may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the machine if you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the machine in, and then remove the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (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 use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.