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



With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, gorgeous makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

At first glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of 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 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, along with the early Solid State makers.

Later on machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might 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 have to get rid of 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 gradually the secret might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

As soon as inside, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have wiring going down into the device. You might wish to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they should be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.

You can now get rid of the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make sure 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 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 three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading 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 raising the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and provide 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 might wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring 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 lock system situated at the back of the have a peek at these guys 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.

You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure 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 place.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret 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 need to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch 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).

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

These threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been needed. If this holds true, 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 get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Make sure to mark or remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to eliminate the legs just prior to packing the machine. Grab a friend to have and assist 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 need to stop all of a sudden!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and have a peek here 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 using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to eliminate the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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