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

With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, stunning machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.

In the beginning look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. Luckily, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of contemporary 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, in addition to the early Solid State devices.

Later on 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 accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to access 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. Quite frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may want 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 secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will have to remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in among 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.

Once 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 lock 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 want to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to eliminate 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 Solid State Pinballs

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

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of how to move a pinball machine 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 use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to eliminate the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a lock 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 on 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 location by 8 bolts. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be harmed, and making use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will require to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and lift up 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, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains pipes, and lift the playfield up.

You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been removed, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Make certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to match.
Filling the Pinball.

You are now all set to transfer your pinball device. Prior to you load it, make sure you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some more recent 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).

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to filling click site the maker. Grab a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.