Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Machine



With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Gentle Giant desires to make certain that these traditional, lovely devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire 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. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority of modern pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) 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 included safety, in case the latch is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but with time the key may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

Once inside, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, but they must be various sizes, making it difficult 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 need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading 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), 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 to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to lift up 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 want to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You might not require to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can secure the light panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch 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 easily unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.

You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure moving heavy items 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.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to eliminate the screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (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).

Eliminate the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you utilize 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.
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 modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.

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 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 across and eliminate the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have actually been eliminated, replace 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.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Prior to you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to packing the machine. Get a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the machine in, then get rid of the back legs. It is a lot easier to fill the device front initially.

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 machines, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more this website 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 using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to eliminate the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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