Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine



With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.

In the beginning glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our knowledgeable Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of contemporary 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 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State machines.

Later on makers have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs within. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. You might desire to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, but they ought to be various sizes, making it hard 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 three areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.

Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.

Open up 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 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 inside, you can remove 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 best area. You might not require to remove the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can secure the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid 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 device. This is a basic setup and needs no tools.

If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure 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 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. 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 require to remove the display panel. (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 utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Eliminate 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Removing the Legs.

Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be eliminated, and the legs will come off.

However these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will need to open up the front door moving pinball machine 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 throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, 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 in a different way to match.
Filling the Pinball.

You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain 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 might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to here filling the maker. Grab a buddy to have and help 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 simpler to fill the maker front.

Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop all of a sudden!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some newer Williams and Bally have a peek at this web-site 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 eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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