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 transported. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glance, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our competent Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.
Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however with time the key may have been lost. Quite frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the maker. You may wish to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they need to be different 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 on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by lifting it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that 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 give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require 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 need to remove the plugs, as the wiring should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up 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 device. This is an easy 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.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that 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 lamp 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).
Remove 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Maker legs are held in location by 8 bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will require to open the front door of the pinball, slide out his comment is here the playfield glass, and raise up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock across and remove the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that may have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Be sure to mark or remember 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 ready to transport your pinball maker. 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 using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to packing the device. Get a pal to help and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the machine in, and then get rid of the back legs. It is a lot easier to pack the machine front first.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (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 maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.