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

With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

At first look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our knowledgeable 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 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 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Strong State machines.

Later makers have hinges and utilize 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 gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically 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 place.

Once inside, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they ought to be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.

You can now remove 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will require to remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three 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 lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that pull it out from the bottom.

Then, open 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 to you, and offer 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 decreasing into the maker. 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 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. 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 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 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 center. Utilize the supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to remove the display 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).

Eliminate the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and 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. weblink Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating 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 holds true, you will require to open 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. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have actually been eliminated, 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 navigate to this website 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 certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs simply prior to packing the device. Get a pal to assist and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the device in, and then remove the back legs. It is much simpler to fill the device front.

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

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate 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 different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs use 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 simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.