Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. Luckily, our knowledgeable Giants have a few tricks 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 allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.
Later on makers have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but in time the key may have been lost. Rather typically, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might desire to label these connectors to put them back in the right spot, but they must be various sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make sure you use 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 place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of 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 on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
As soon as opened, get rid of 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.
Open up the back box lamp panel by lifting 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 eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure 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 situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the maker. This is a basic setup and needs no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Make sure 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.
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 center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to eliminate this contact form the screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either 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).
Eliminate the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make sure you use 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.
Getting rid of the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be harmed, and making use of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will require to open 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. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Be 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 fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now ready to transport your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!
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. (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 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 eliminate the legs just prior to filling the maker. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.