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

With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Mild Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially glance, pinball machines can appear daunting to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority 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 makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.

Later machines have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but gradually the secret might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have circuitry decreasing into the maker. You may want to label these connectors to put them back in the best spot, however they must be various sizes, making it hard to plug back improperly.

You can now remove the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect 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 get rid of the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.

Once unlocked, remove 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 up the back box light panel by raising the lock situated 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 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 maker. You might wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You might not require to remove the plugs, as the wiring should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can lock up 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 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 basic setup and needs no tools.

You're done if you can now 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 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. Utilize the provided secret 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 require to get rid of the screen panel. (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).

Remove 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 secure 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 Device legs are kept in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be removed, and the legs will come off.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the get more info case, you will have to open 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 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 positioning 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 utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been eliminated, 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 changed in a different way to match.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transport your pinball machine. Prior to you fill it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transportation.

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 pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

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

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (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 using a van or SUV, it may be much easier to get rid of the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a buddy to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.