Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these timeless, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks 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 allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, along with the early Strong State devices.
Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally 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 inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key may have been lost. Quite frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might want to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they need to be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.
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 secure 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 have to remove 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, 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 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 within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not need to remove the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable 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 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 device. This is a basic setup and needs no tools.
You're done if you can now 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 likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
You require to get within if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to eliminate the screen panel. (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 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 location.
Getting rid of the Legs.
Pinball Maker legs are kept in location by 8 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.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts might have been required. If this is the case, you will have to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that may have been used. When any nuts have been removed, 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 fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
It may be easier to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Grab a friend to help and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the machine in, and then get rid of the back legs. It is much easier to fill the maker front.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get 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 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 this content you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.