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



With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Mild Giant desires to make sure that these timeless, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

In the beginning glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our knowledgeable 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 Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Strong State machines.

Later makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as included security, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally 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 place, but gradually the secret might have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry going down into the device. You might desire to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, but they ought to 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. Make certain you utilize 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 location.
Early Strong State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the center.

As soon as opened, remove the back glass by lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.

Then, open the back box lamp panel by lifting the latch 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 require you to raise the lamp 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 going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not need to eliminate 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 light panel and change the back glass.
Modern Strong 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 machine. This is a simple setup and requires 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 assist keep the back glass in location.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to get inside. There is a lock located 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 then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to eliminate the 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 use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Get rid of the 2 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, you will require to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise up the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the more info lock down bar latch across and remove the lock down bar. 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 raise the playfield up.

You need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have been eliminated, 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, make certain 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 much easier to eliminate the legs simply prior to packing have a peek at these guys the device. Grab a buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you need to stop unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate 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 separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and imp source 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 much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to packing the machine. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

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