Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a huge renewal across the country, Mild Giant wishes to make sure that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their fragility, size, and weight. 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 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 require to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the key may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have wiring going down into the maker. You might wish to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they should be different 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 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 Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
When opened, get rid of 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 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 inside, 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 moment, 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 latch system located 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 machine. This is a simple setup and requires 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.
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, and then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp panel. There will be a lock situated 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).
Remove 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.
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 modern pinballs imp source have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be eliminated, 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 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 get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by positioning 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 browse this site 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 front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Before 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 using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to have and assist 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 have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get 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 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 maker. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.