Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Device

With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these timeless, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move since 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

The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, along with the early Solid State makers.

Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs within. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have circuitry going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these ports to put them back in the ideal area, but they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.

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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.

As soon as unlocked, remove the back glass by lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that pull it out from the bottom.

Then, open up the back box light panel by raising the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require 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 going down into the device. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You might not require to get rid of 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 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 cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.

You require to get within if you can not fold the head box down. 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, then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to eliminate the screen panel. (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).

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 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 eliminated, and the legs will come off.

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 have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise up the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You need to 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.

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

You are now prepared to transfer your pinball machine. Before you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around during transport.

It may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device if you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV. Grab a friend to assist and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the machine in, then get rid of the back legs. It is much simpler to pack the device front.

Make sure 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 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 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 eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the how to move a pinball machine pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.