Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device



With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wants to make certain that these classic, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

At very first glance, pinball devices can appear daunting to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. Luckily, our knowledgeable Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The bulk of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to the early Solid State machines.

Later on makers have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, however with time the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, get rid of the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they need to be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.

You can now eliminate the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of 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 top or on top of the headbox in the center.

When opened, get rid of the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.

Then, 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 to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise up 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 wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to permit 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 device. This is an easy setup and needs no tools.

You're done website if you can now 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.

You require to get within if you can not fold the head box down. 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 require to eliminate the 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 use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Eliminate the two 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
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.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and making use of extra nuts may have been needed. 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, and raise the playfield up.

You need to 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 prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you fill it, make certain you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.

It may be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine if you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the maker in, then eliminate the back legs. It is much simpler to pack the machine 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 get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate 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 much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to loading the machine. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

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