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



With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.

In the beginning glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our experienced Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of modern pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, along with the early Strong State makers.

Later machines have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to 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 might have been lost. Rather often, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have wiring going down into the device. You might desire to label these connectors to put them back in the right spot, however they must 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. 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated 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.

When opened, get rid of the back glass by raising 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 raising the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and offer 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 machine. You may want 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 enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, 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 machine. This is an easy setup and requires no tools.

If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. 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 get rid of 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 click here the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different 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 secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Getting rid of the Legs.

Pinball Maker legs are kept in location by eight 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 threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will have 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. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and raise the playfield up.

You need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Be sure to mark or remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted in a different way to match.
Filling the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before you load it, make certain 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 eliminate the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to help and have 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 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 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. Grab a good friend to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

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