Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Device

With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Gentle Giant wishes 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.

In the beginning glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. Fortunately, our proficient 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 devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Solid State machines.

Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have 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, but gradually the key may have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may want to identify these adapters to put them back in the right 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 certain you use 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 Strong State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.

Once unlocked, eliminate 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.

Then, open up the back box lamp panel by raising the lock situated 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 the lamp 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 device. You might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry 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 located at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied key, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the maker. This is a basic setup and requires no tools.

If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you utilize 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 location.

You need to get inside if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. 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 get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp have a peek at this web-site panel. There will be a latch located on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (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).

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 secure 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 contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be eliminated, and the legs will come off.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will have to open the click site 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 lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by putting 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. As soon as 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 remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.

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 buddy to help and have 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 unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, 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 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 easier to remove the legs simply prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.