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

With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to ensure that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their size, weight, and fragility. Luckily, our knowledgeable 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 20 years or two) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to the early Solid State machines.

Later on makers have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Generally 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.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have wiring going down into the device. You might wish to identify these connectors to put them back in the right spot, however they must be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.

You can now remove 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 need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock located 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.

As soon as opened, get rid of the back glass by lifting it up using 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 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 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 decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, 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 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 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.

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 eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to eliminate the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light 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 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and 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 likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Device legs are kept in location by 8 bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be eliminated, and the legs will come off.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this holds true, you will have 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 latch across and eliminate the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You should now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been have a peek at these guys gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Make certain to mark or remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you fill 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 get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of 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 makers, 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 Sega and Stern pinballs use click site a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be much easier 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.