Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a big renewal across the country, Mild Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, size, and fragility. Luckily, our knowledgeable Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The bulk of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 years or so) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.
Later machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but in time the key might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big adapters that have circuitry going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these ports to put them back in the ideal area, but they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. 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 help keep the back glass in place.
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 among 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the center.
When opened, get rid of the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Then, 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 to you, and provide you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise up 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 may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to remove the plugs, as the electrical wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure 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 situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, original site 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 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help 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 located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it becomes part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure 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 Maker legs are held in location by 8 bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using extra nuts may have been needed. 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 throughout and get rid of 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 raise the playfield up.
You need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Be 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 transport your pinball machine. Before you fill it, make certain you eliminate 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 eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a pal 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 have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, 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 Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.