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

With pinball making a big renewal across the country, Mild Giant wishes to make sure that these timeless, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The bulk of modern-day pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years or so) have a hinge system which enables 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, together with the early Strong State makers.

Later machines 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 mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but in time the secret might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have wiring going down into the device. You might wish to identify these connectors to put them back in the right spot, but 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. Ensure 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 located on the headbox in one of three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.

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.

Open up the back box lamp panel by lifting the latch located on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out towards you, and provide you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise up 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 may want to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to remove the plugs, as the electrical wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can secure the light panel and change the back glass.
Modern Strong 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 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.

If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. 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 also help keep the back glass in place.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to enter. There is this content 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 require to get rid of the screen panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it belongs to 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 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.
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 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.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been required. 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 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 raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have been removed, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Be sure to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Prior to you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around during transport.

It may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to filling the device if you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV. Grab a friend to have and assist among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Slide the machine in, and then get rid of the back legs. It is much simpler to pack the device front first.

Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate 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 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 may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.