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

With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these timeless, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority of contemporary 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, together with the early Strong State machines.

Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may 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 devices, you require to remove the headbox rear access panel to get 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 unplug the large ports that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, 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. 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 Solid State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.

When opened, 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.

Then, open the back box light panel by raising 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 require you to raise the lamp panel in order to swing it open.

Now that you are inside, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring needs to be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, 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. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back click here box at the back of the maker. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.

If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard 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. Use the supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to eliminate the screen panel. (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 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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will read more also help keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be removed, and the legs will come off.

These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will have to open up 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 throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You should 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 keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.

It may be easier to get rid of 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 gets rid of the front legs. Move the device in, and then remove the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.

Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop all of a sudden!

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 utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.