Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. Luckily, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either 2 or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Solid State devices.
Later on machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but with time the key may have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have wiring decreasing into the maker. You may want to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
You can now get rid of the headbox completely, 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among three locations: 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 utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up 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 give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require 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 going down into the device. You might wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not require to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable 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 lock system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the supplied key, turn the latch 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 requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure 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 require to get within. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of 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 display 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 left-hand or right-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 Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Get rid of the 2 bolts, put the my review here 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 location.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and using additional nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will need to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and Homepage raise up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and get rid of the lock check here down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been removed, 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 adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to transfer your pinball device. Before you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.
It might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the maker if you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV. Get a pal to assist and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the device in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is much easier to pack the device front first.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (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).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.