Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a big renewal across the country, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, beautiful 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 frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our experienced 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 Twenty Years or so) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.
Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but in time the secret might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the device. You might desire to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of 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 Strong State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the center.
As soon as unlocked, remove the back glass by lifting it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Then, open the back box light 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 give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise 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 might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not require to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up the lamp 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 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 an easy setup and requires no tools.
You're done if you can now 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 help keep the back glass in place.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to get inside. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will have to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located 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).
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.
Getting rid of the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are kept in location by 8 bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will need to open up 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. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been eliminated, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make sure to mark or remember which legs are for the Source front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transport your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the maker. Grab a friend to have and assist among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Move the device in, and then remove the back legs. It is a lot 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 access 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 on Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass this content lighting).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.