Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a huge revival throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make certain that these classic, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years or so) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.
Later on machines have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as added 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 acquire access to the bolts and plugs within. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key may have been lost. Rather typically, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports 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 place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among 3 locations: 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), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up 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 offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise 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 machine. You may want to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not require to eliminate the plugs, as the circuitry needs to 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 latch 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. Make sure 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.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to enter. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to eliminate the screen panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some imp source 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).
Get rid of the 2 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 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 have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this holds true, you will have to open up 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 latch across and get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have actually 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 changed in a different way to match.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball machine. Before you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be much easier to get rid of the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a pal 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 desire it moving if you need to stop all of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need 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 use 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 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 gets rid of the front legs.