Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker



With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

At very first glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their fragility, weight, and size. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years or so) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Strong State machines.

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 accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the key may have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry going down into the device. You might desire to label 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 totally, 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 location.
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 places: 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), then 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 towards you, and provide you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise 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 electrical wiring must 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 Solid 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 device. This is a basic setup and needs no tools.

If you can news 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, 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 the provided secret to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to eliminate 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 right-hand or useful reference left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it becomes part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Remove the two bolts, put the imp source back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you use 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 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.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will require to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise 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 match.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport 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 much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the maker. Get a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop suddenly!

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 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 using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

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