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

With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Gentle Giant wants to make certain that these classic, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.

In the beginning look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. Luckily, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 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 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State machines.

Later makers have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to remove the headbox rear access panel to 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 place.

As soon as within, remove the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have wiring decreasing into the maker. You may want to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.

You can now get rid of the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the center.

When opened, remove the back glass by lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that pull it out from the bottom.

Then, open the back box lamp panel by lifting the latch situated 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 need you to raise the lamp panel in order to swing it open.

Now that you are within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring needs to be long enough to permit the see it here headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can lock up the lamp panel and change the back glass.
Modern Strong State Pinballs

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable lock system located at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied 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 simple setup and requires no tools.

You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure 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.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to get within. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Use the supplied click here now key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to get rid of the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the moving heavy items 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 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 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.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Maker 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 damaged, and using extra nuts may have been required. If this holds true, 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 positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. When any nuts have been eliminated, replace 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 fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before 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 may be easier to remove 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 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 devices, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access 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 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 packing the machine. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.