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

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

Initially glimpse, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their fragility, size, and weight. Thankfully, our experienced 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 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, in addition to 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 get rid of the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, 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 large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these ports 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 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 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.

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 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 give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to lift up 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 have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit weblink the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can secure 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 if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain you utilize 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.

You require to get within if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Use this website the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to remove the display 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 also assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Maker legs are held in location by 8 bolts. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and using additional 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 lift up the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch across and remove 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 need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. 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 changed differently to fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to packing the device. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the machine in, then get rid of the back legs. It is much easier to load the device front.

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

For Electro-Mechanical pinball devices, you need to remove 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 use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the machine. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.