Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a huge revival across the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning look, pinball machines can appear daunting 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 guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing 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 two bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to remove the headbox rear access panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but in time the secret might have been lost. Quite often, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the right 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 place.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock located 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 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 get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the machine. You may want to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring should 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 lock system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the supplied key, turn the latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of the device. 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 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 located 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 get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by lifting 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 belongs to the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate 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, or blankets to secure 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 Maker legs are held in location by 8 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 harmed, and using 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. 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 must 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 remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to match.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while moving pinball machine 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 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 different 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 machine. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other website removes the front legs.