Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a big renewal throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make certain that these classic, gorgeous makers remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially glance, pinball devices can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of 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 Twenty 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 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Strong State machines.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they ought to be various sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox completely, 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 Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will have to remove the back glass. There is a lock situated 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.
Once unlocked, eliminate 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 the back box light panel by raising 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 within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You might desire to label these plugs to put them back in the right area. You might not have to remove 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 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 easily unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is an easy 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 likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
You need to get within if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of 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. (Some newer 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).
Get rid of 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 secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and making use of additional nuts might 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 raise up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock 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 remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to match.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball machine. Before you load it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transport.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to help and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the machine in, and then get rid of the back legs. It is much easier to fill the maker front.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs his comment is here 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 may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Get a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.