Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a big renewal across the country, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being transported. 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. The good news is, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern-day 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, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to the early Solid State devices.
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 in time the secret might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have circuitry going down into the device. You might desire to identify 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 get rid of the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Ensure you utilize 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 Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.
When opened, 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.
Open up the back box lamp 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 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 device. You might wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, 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 easily unlatch the back box at the back of the device. This is an easy 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 also 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 located at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to eliminate the display screen panel. (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).
Remove the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make sure you use 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 Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
But these threaded plates and captive nuts can be damaged, and making use of additional 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 remove the lock down bar. Slide 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 might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make certain 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 machine. read more Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
It may be simpler to remove the legs just prior to loading the machine if you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV. Get a good friend to assist and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the device in, and then remove the back legs. It is much simpler to pack the device front.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop all of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent 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 news fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing 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.