Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a substantial 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 because of their weight, fragility, and size. Thankfully, our competent 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 pinballs (made in the last 20 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, in addition to the early Solid State devices.
Later on machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may 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 machines, you need to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to gain access 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.
Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the large ports 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 should be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now remove 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 situated on the headbox in among 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
When opened, get rid of the back glass by raising 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 provide you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise up the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are inside, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You might desire to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. 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 lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable lock system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing 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 a basic setup and needs no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. 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 likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
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 after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will need to eliminate the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it becomes 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. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure 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 held in location by 8 bolts. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. 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 latch across 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 moving specialty items ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. 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 match.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, ensure 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. Grab a friend to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Move the maker in, then get rid of the back legs. It is a lot easier to fill the maker front initially.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have a peek at this web-site need to stop all of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove 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 utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are here moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.