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

With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make certain that these classic, gorgeous devices remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the people moving them to be safe, too.

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

The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years or so) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, along with the early Solid State devices.

Later on makers have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may likewise be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or unintentionally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you have to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key may have been lost. Frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may desire to identify these connectors to put them back in the right spot, however they must 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 assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Strong State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will need to remove the back glass. There is a lock located 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 to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise the light panel in order to swing it open.

Now that you are within, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the machine. You may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best spot. You may not need to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can secure original site 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 easily unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is a simple setup and requires 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in location.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to enter. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use the supplied key 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 have to get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light panel. There will be a lock 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).

Get rid of the 2 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 also help keep the back glass in place.
Removing 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 contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be eliminated, and the legs will come off.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will have to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise up 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 putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift 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.

Make certain 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 all set to carry your pinball device. Before you load it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around during transport.

It might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker if you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the maker in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is a lot easier to load the maker front initially.

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 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 might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to filling the device. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.