Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a huge revival across the country, Mild Giant wants to make certain that these classic, stunning machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Luckily, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The majority 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, using either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Solid State devices.
Later on machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but in time the secret might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
Once inside, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry going down into the device. You might wish to label these ports to put them back in the ideal spot, but they must be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.
You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate 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 at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.
Once unlocked, get rid of the back glass by raising it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.
Then, open 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 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 need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring needs to be long enough to permit 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 located at the back of the headbox. Using the provided 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 needs no tools.
You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. 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 likewise assist 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. Use the supplied key 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 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 utilize 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 also help keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are kept in location by 8 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 removed, and the legs will come off.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the 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 raise the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch across and eliminate the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a click here now safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been removed, 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 back, as they will be changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to carry your pinball maker. Prior to moving specialty items you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around during transportation.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to packing the machine. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access 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 on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a good friend to assist and this page have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.