Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device

With pinball making a huge renewal across the nation, Gentle Giant wants to make certain that these classic, stunning 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 daunting to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. The good news is, our competent Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The bulk of modern 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 latch is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however over time the key might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, remove the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish to identify these connectors to put them back in the best 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 secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will require to remove the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.

When opened, 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 to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to lift 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 decreasing into the maker. You might want to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring needs to be long enough to permit the headbox to be find this folded down.

At this point, you can lock up the light panel and change 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. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of the device. moving specialty items 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 help keep the back glass in place.

You require 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 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 get rid of the display screen panel. (Some more recent 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).

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 also help keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Device 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 removed, and the legs will come off.

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 the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been eliminated, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Make sure 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 remove 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 filling the maker. Get a good friend get redirected here to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate 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 using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the maker. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.