Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make certain that these classic, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially glance, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that 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 majority 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 four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State machines.
Later devices 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 accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs inside. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but with time the secret may 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 ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they need to be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.
You can now eliminate the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid 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 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the 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.
Then, 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 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 inside, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the machine. You may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best spot. You might not require to eliminate the plugs, as the circuitry must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system located 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 a simple setup and requires 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to get within. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. 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. 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 belongs to the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs use 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 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 Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will require 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. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise 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 might have been used. Once any nuts have been removed, 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 differently to fit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transport your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a good friend to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Move the maker in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is a lot easier to load the machine front initially.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not moving heavy items desire it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access 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 might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.