Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker

With pinball making a big renewal across the country, Mild Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

At first glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move because of their fragility, size, and weight. Thankfully, our experienced Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority 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 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.

Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise 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 have 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 in time the key might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have wiring going down into the device. You might wish to identify these connectors to put them back in the right spot, but they must 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among 3 areas: 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 utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.

Then, 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 to you, and offer 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 machine. You may desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit 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 latch system located 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 requires no tools.

You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. 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 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. Use the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to eliminate the screen 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 two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. 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 also assist keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Device legs are kept in location by eight 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 the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this holds true, you will have 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 remove the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and lift the playfield up.

You ought to now have access to any nuts that may 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 certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transportation.

It might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Move the maker in, then eliminate the back legs. It is much simpler to fill the device front.

Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop suddenly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some more recent Williams how to move a pinball machine 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 might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.