Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a huge renewal across the country, Mild Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, lovely devices remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.
Initially glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, size, and fragility. The good news is, our experienced 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 or so) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to the early Solid State machines.
Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but in time the secret might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they should be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make sure 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 Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the 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), then pull it out from the bottom.
Then, open 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 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 within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up 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 situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing 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 sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect the headbox from rubbing on the 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 have to get within. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that 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. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize 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 secure 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 held in location by 8 bolts. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will need to open up 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 latch across and remove 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 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.
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 carry your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain you eliminate the pinballs so they do not bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it more info may be easier to eliminate the legs simply prior to packing the device. Get a pal to have and help 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 pack the device front first.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you require 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 separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you check here are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.