Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, gorgeous makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.
At very first 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
The bulk 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 on machines 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 require 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 over time the key might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, remove the bolts and unplug the big connectors that have wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish 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 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 have 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 on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
As soon as opened, remove the back glass by lifting it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up 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 give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to lift up the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You might not require to get rid of 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 light 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 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 maker. This is a basic setup and requires no tools.
You're done if you can now 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize 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 require to get rid of the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-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).
Eliminate 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 secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be eliminated, and the legs will come off.
However these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and making use of extra nuts may have been required. 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 get rid of the lock down bar. Then move 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 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 keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.
It might be much read more easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the maker if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a good friend to have and assist among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Move the device in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is much easier to pack the machine front.
Make certain you strap the pinball moving specialty items 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 get more info eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain 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 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 might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to packing the machine. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.