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

With pinball making a big resurgence across the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make certain that these classic, stunning machines stay 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 since of their fragility, weight, and size. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The bulk of modern 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 two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.

Later on machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also 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 need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but gradually the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these connectors to put them back in the right area, however they need to 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. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs

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

Once unlocked, get rid of the back glass by raising it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.

Then, open up the back box light panel by raising 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 up the light panel in order to swing it open.

Now that you are within, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring should 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 Solid State Pinballs

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system located at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. 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 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 location.

You require 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 provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and 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 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. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or moving specialty items blankets to safeguard 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 Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

But these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will require to open the front door of the pinball, have a peek at this web-site slide out the playfield glass, and raise the playfield.

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

You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been removed, 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 adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.

It might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the maker if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a pal to have and assist among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the device in, and after that remove the back legs. It is much easier to fill the maker front.

Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access 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 on 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 might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Grab a good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.