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



With pinball making a big renewal throughout the country, Gentle Giant desires to make certain that these classic, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the people moving them to be safe, too.

At first look, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our skilled Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The bulk 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 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, along with the early Solid State devices.

Later on makers have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be two bolts inside as included 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 access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but over time the key may have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large connectors that have electrical wiring going down into the device. You might desire to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, but they ought to be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.

You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, 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 need to eliminate 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 leading or on top of the headbox in the.

As soon as opened, remove 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.

Open up the back box lamp panel by lifting 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 light panel in order to swing it open.

Now that you are within, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal 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 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. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 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.

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 likewise assist keep the back glass in location.

You require to get within if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret 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 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 later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Eliminate 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 will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Getting rid of the Legs.

Pinball Machine legs are held in place 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 extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will need 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up 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. Once any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

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

You are now all set to transfer your pinball device. Before you load it, make certain 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 might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop all of more info a sudden!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to 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 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 pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

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