Tips From the Moving Business Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a huge revival across the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, lovely devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. The good news is, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques 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 permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Solid State devices.
Later on makers have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but gradually the secret may have been lost. Quite frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
Once within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have wiring going down into the machine. You might wish to label these ports to put them back in the ideal area, but they ought to be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.
You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among three 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 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 raising the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to lift 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 desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You may Get More Info not have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Strong State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, great post to read there is a turnable lock system situated at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied key, 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.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise help keep the back glass in place.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to get within. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then 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. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-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).
Eliminate 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Removing 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.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will need 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 location. Next, raise up the playfield by positioning 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.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transfer your pinball device. Before you pack it, make sure 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 news to remove the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a good friend to have and assist among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the maker in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is a lot easier to pack the device front first.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop all of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.