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

With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Gentle Giant desires to make certain that these classic, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially glance, pinball devices can appear frightening 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 ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The bulk of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 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 latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need 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 location, but in time the key might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they need to be different sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.

You can now eliminate 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 assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid 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 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the center.

Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.

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

Now that you are within, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You may not have to remove the plugs, as the wiring should be long enough to allow 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 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 device. This is an easy setup and needs find this no tools.

You're done 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.

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 supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to remove the display panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock situated 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 on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize 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. 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.
Removing the Legs.

Pinball Device legs are held in location by eight bolts. The contemporary 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 extra nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will need 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been used. When any nuts have been removed, 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 fit.
Loading the Pinball.

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

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop suddenly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain 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 use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.