Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a huge renewal across the country, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these classic, gorgeous makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern 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 locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, 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. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however over time the key might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the big connectors that have wiring decreasing into the maker. You may want to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will need to remove the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among three 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, 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 the back box lamp panel by lifting the latch situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise the lamp 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 going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back see here in the ideal spot. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the circuitry should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can secure the light panel and change the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system located at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, 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.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Homepage Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to get inside. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize moving bulky items the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will have to get rid of 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 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 place.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Maker legs are held in location by 8 bolts. The modern-day 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 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 eliminate the lock down bar. 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 ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. When any nuts have been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make sure to mark or remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Grab a friend to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire 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 Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.