Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a huge revival throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially look, pinball machines can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Thankfully, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either two 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 latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be two bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need 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 location, but in time the key might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big adapters that have circuitry going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal area, but they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain 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 location.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock located 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.
When opened, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Then, open 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 within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might desire to label these plugs to put them back in the right 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 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 located at the back of the headbox. Using 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 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 use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard 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 situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to remove the display panel. (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).
Remove the two 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 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 is the case, you will have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock across and remove the lock down bar. Then move 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 should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make sure to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transportation.
It might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Move the maker in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is much simpler to original site pack the machine front.
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 eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. (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).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.