Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Mild Giant wishes to make certain that these classic, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially look, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The bulk 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 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however with time the key may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
Once inside, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they must be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.
You can now eliminate the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect 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 remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in among 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), 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 provide 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 device. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not have to eliminate 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 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 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 machine. This is an easy setup and needs 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 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 situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the supplied 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 need to eliminate the screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either this page the right-hand or left-hand side. (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).
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, find more info 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 read this article heads. The modern 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.
But 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 have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and lift up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch across and remove the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise 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. 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 transfer your pinball device. Prior to you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
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 packing the machine. Grab a good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.
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 require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate 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 using a van or SUV, it may be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.