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 remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially look, pinball machines can appear intimidating to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks 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 so) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.

Later machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two 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 eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however gradually the secret might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these connectors to put them back in the best 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 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 remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in among 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.

Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then 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 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 decreasing into the maker. You might desire to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to remove the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, 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 sure have a peek at this web-site 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.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use 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 need to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, 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).

Eliminate the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure 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 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 making use of extra nuts may have been needed. If this is the case, you will have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and lift up the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise 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. When any nuts have been removed, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Be sure to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you load 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 might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop all of a sudden!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate 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 much easier to get rid of the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.