Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a big renewal across the country, Mild Giant wants to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks 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 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 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 remove the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, 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 disconnect the big connectors that have wiring going down into the machine. You may want to identify these ports to put them back in the ideal area, however they should 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 location.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will need to remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of 3 places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.
As soon as opened, get rid of 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 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 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 may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not require to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must 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 situated original site at the back of the headbox. Utilizing 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 simple 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 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 require to get rid of the display screen panel. (Some more recent 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).
Eliminate the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you use 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 Device legs are kept in location by 8 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.
But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using extra 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, lift up the playfield by putting 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 used. Once 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 keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to suit.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to transfer your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get 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 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 machine. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.