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



With pinball making a huge revival across the country, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these timeless, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

In the beginning glimpse, pinball devices can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. The good news is, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State machines.

Later makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to remove the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time 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 connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may desire to identify these connectors to put them back in the right area, however they should be different sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.

You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain 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 place.
Early Solid 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 leading 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.

Open up the back box light 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 in the ideal spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can lock up the light panel and change the back glass.
Modern Strong State Pinballs

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system click to read more located at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is a simple 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.

If you read this article can not fold the head box down, then you require to get within. There is a lock located at the top of the how to move a pinball machine back glass in the. Use the supplied 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 have to remove the display panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light panel. There will be a lock located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it belongs to 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 back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you utilize 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 Maker legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be removed, and the legs will come off.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will need to open up 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 latch across and remove the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up 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. Once 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 transfer your pinball device. Before you pack it, ensure you eliminate 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 pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (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).

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 packing the device. Grab a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

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