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



With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.

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

Most of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows 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 unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key may have been lost. Quite frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have wiring going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they ought to be different sizes, making it tough 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 protect 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 get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.

As soon as opened, get rid of the back glass by raising 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 offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need 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 might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You might not require to get rid of 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 situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing 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 sure 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.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later on 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 useful reference to protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Getting rid of the Legs.

Pinball Maker legs are kept in location by 8 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 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 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 place. Next, raise up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You ought to 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 sure to mark or remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Filling the Pinball.

You are now all set to carry your pinball device. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they do not 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 buddy to have and help among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the device in, and after that remove the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.

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 gain access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent 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 utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

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