Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Machine



With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Gentle Giant wants to make certain that these classic, gorgeous makers stay damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire 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 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-day pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.

Later on machines have hinges and use a locking 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 machines, you have to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but in time the key might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they ought to be various sizes, making it hard to plug back improperly.

You can now remove 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 assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three places: 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 raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.

Then, 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 towards you, and provide you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise up the light 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 best area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can secure the light panel and change 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. 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 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 utilize 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 need to get inside. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided 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 lifting it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a lock situated 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 utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Get rid of 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 the my review here 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 place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using 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 the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You imp source should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been gotten rid of, 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.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before you load it, make sure you remove 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 eliminate the legs just prior to packing the machine. Grab a buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the maker in, then eliminate the back legs. It is a lot easier to pack the machine front first.

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

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different 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 pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

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