Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
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 glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
The bulk of modern-day 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 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State makers.
Later on machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to remove 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 gradually the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
As soon as inside, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have wiring going down into the device. You might wish to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox entirely, 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 3 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, remove 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 light 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 light 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 machine. You may want to label these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You might not have to remove the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.
At this moment, you can secure the light 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 maker. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure 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 place.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret 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 screen panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and this website Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it becomes part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate 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 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 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 making use of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will have 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. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You should click here 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 certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.
It may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the maker if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the machine in, and then remove the back legs. It is much simpler to fill the maker front initially.
Make certain 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 devices, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get 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 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 might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.