Tips From the Moving Company Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine



With pinball making a substantial revival across the country, Gentle Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, lovely devices 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 size, weight, and fragility. Luckily, our knowledgeable Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years or so) 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 Strong State makers.

Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need 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 place, but gradually the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. You may desire to label these adapters to put them back in the right area, however they should be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.

You can now remove the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make sure 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 Strong State Pinballs, you will require to remove the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.

When opened, get rid of the back glass by raising it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that pull it out from the bottom.

Then, open 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 lamp panel in order to swing it open.

Now that you are inside, you can eliminate 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 best area. You might not have to remove the plugs, as the wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid 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 supplied key, turn the latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the maker. This is a basic setup and needs 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 secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will get redirected here likewise assist 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. Use the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to remove the screen panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock situated 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).

Get great post to read 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 headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it imp source 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.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will require to open up 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 latch throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains pipes, 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 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 match.
Filling the Pinball.

You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transport.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may 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 eliminates 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 machines, you need to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to 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 use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

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

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