Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a big resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
At first glimpse, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. 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
The bulk of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State makers.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but gradually the secret may have been lost. Frequently, 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 area, but they ought to 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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock located 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.
When opened, get rid of the back glass by lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that pull it out from the bottom.
Then, open the back box lamp panel by lifting the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise up the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You might wish moving specialty items to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to remove the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, 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 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
You require click to read more 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 lifting it up from get more info the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to get rid of 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 use 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 protect 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 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 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. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When 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 match.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
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 good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop all of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain 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 packing the device. Grab a friend to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.