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



With pinball making a big renewal across the country, Mild Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move because of their fragility, size, and weight. Thankfully, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) 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 Solid State devices.

Later on makers have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be two bolts inside as included security, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the secret may have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might desire to label these connectors to put them back in the right spot, however they must be various sizes, making it hard to plug back improperly.

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 need to remove 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.

Once 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.

Open up the back box light panel by raising the lock 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 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 may 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 provided secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the device. This is a basic setup and needs no tools.

You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. 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 also help keep the back glass in place.

You need to get inside if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use 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 lifting it up and out. And lastly, open the light 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 Sega and Stern pinballs use 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 safeguard 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 Device legs are kept in location by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The contemporary 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.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and making use of additional nuts may have been required. If this holds true, you will have to open up 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. As soon as any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change 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 in a different way to match.
Filling the Pinball.

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

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the maker in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is much easier to load the maker 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 require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent 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 are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of website you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

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