Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a huge resurgence throughout the nation, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the people moving them to be safe, too.
At very first glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. Luckily, our skilled Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Strong State machines.
Later devices have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you have to remove the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but over time the key might have been lost. Quite often, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have wiring going down into the device. You might desire to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, but they ought to be various sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox completely, 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 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 one of 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.
As soon as unlocked, remove the back glass by lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.
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 give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise the lamp 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 may desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not require to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry needs to 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 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 machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head my review here box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure 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 need to get inside if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use 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 require to get rid of the display 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 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. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard 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 Machine legs are held in place by 8 bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.
These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and lift up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that might have been used. When any nuts have been removed, 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 differently to fit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.
It might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a pal to help and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the device in, and then remove the back legs. It is much easier to load the maker 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 devices, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some newer 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 might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.