Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, lovely devices remain damage-free while being transported. 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 skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most 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 makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, along with the early Strong State makers.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the key may have been lost. Rather typically, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry going down into the device. You might wish to label 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
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 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.
As soon as opened, remove the back glass by lifting it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), 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 to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to lift up the lamp panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are inside, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You may want to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to remove the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace 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 quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the device. This is a basic setup and needs no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you use some have a peek at this web-site 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.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will have a peek here be a latch situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a this contact form different amp panel, it becomes 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. 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.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Maker legs are held in location by 8 bolts. The modern-day 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 making use of extra nuts may have been required. 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 eliminate the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have actually been eliminated, 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 changed in a different way 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 simply prior to filling the maker. Get a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want 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 get access to the bolts and plugs within. (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 using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of 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.