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



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

At first glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The bulk of modern 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, along with the early Solid State devices.

Later on machines have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch 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, but they ought to be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.

You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, 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 require to remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in among 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the center.

As soon as unlocked, 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 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 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 ideal spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring needs to be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace 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 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 device. This is an easy setup and needs 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 help keep the back glass in place.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to enter. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use 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 screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the lamp panel. There will be a latch 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. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect read this article 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.

These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of 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 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. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball browse this site drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have click here now actually been eliminated, change 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 transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transportation.

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 filling the maker. Grab a friend to help and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the maker in, then eliminate the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.

Make certain you strap the pinball 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 remove 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 utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

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