Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning look, pinball machines 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 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 two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.
Later on machines have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but gradually the secret may have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. You may desire to identify these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they should 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 protect 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 eliminate 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, 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 light 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 up the lamp 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 wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided key, turn the latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of the device. news 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. Foam is best, news as it will likewise assist 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 situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located 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 Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Get rid of the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain 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 place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, 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 remove the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once 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 adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before you pack it, ensure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
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 buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.
Make certain 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 remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (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 utilizing this content a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.