Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the country, Mild Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. Luckily, our knowledgeable Giants have a few tricks 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 so) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.
Later on machines have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you have to remove the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key may have been lost. Quite frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. You may want to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they need to be different sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.
You can now eliminate the headbox totally, 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 assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.
Once unlocked, eliminate 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 raising the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out towards you, and give 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 inside, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You may desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not require to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure the lamp panel and replace 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 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 machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
You need to get inside if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use the supplied key 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 require to get rid of the display screen panel. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And news later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate the 2 bolts, put the 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 also help keep the back glass in place.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are held in location by 8 bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.
These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will have to open up 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 eliminate the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that may have been used. When 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 fit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transportation.
It might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Move the device in, and after that remove the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to get 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 utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.