Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine



With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the country, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their weight, fragility, and size. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of tricks 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, utilizing either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Solid State devices.

Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but gradually the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

Once within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry going down into the machine. You might wish to identify these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they should be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.

You can now remove the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Ensure 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 need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.

As soon as opened, remove the back glass by lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.

Then, open the back box lamp panel by lifting the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and give 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 get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.

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

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch 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 machine. This is a simple setup and requires 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.

You require to get within if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied secret to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will require to eliminate the display screen panel. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different 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).

Remove the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Getting rid of the Legs.

Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be More about the author harmed, and making use of additional nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will need 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. 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 ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once 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 useful reference back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.

If you are moving the pinball using a this website van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Get a buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to get rid of 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 utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to eliminate the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *