Tips From the Moving Company Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Gentle Giant wants to make certain that these classic, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
At first look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. Luckily, our knowledgeable 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 safety, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, 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 inside, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have wiring going down into the device. You might want to label these ports to put them back in the best area, but they ought to be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now remove 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Strong 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 leading or on top of the headbox in the center.
As soon as opened, remove 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 up the back box lamp panel by raising the lock 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 eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to remove 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 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. 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 simple setup and requires 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 also help keep the back glass in place.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to get within. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied secret to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, 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 right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later 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. 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.
Getting rid of 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.
These threaded plates and captive nuts can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, 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 this page put in a safe place. Next, raise 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. When 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 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 see it here just prior to filling the maker. Get a good friend to have and assist 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 have to stop all click here now of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs within. (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 just prior to loading the maker. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.