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

With pinball making a big renewal across the country, Mild Giant desires to make sure that these classic, stunning makers remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

At very first look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to the early Strong State machines.

Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you have to get rid of the headbox rear access 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 secret might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big adapters that have wiring going down into the machine. You may want to label these ports 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 remove the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Ensure 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 Strong State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the center.

When opened, 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.

Open up the back box light 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 lamp 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 want to label these plugs to put them back in the best spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, 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 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 requires no tools.

You're done if you can now 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 click here now 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 need to enter. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. 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 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 more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Get rid of 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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
Removing the Legs.

Pinball Machine legs are held 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.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and making use of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will have to open 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 latch across and remove 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.

Make certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, make sure you remove 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 remove the legs simply 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.

Ensure 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 get rid of 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 different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later on 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 simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.