Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a substantial renewal across the country, Mild Giant desires to make sure that these traditional, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move due to the fact that of their size, fragility, and weight. Luckily, our knowledgeable Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern-day 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, together with the early Strong State makers.
Later on 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 lock is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you have to remove the headbox rear access panel to acquire access 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. Rather typically, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.
Once inside, remove the bolts and unplug the big adapters that have circuitry decreasing into the machine. 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. 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 assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three locations: 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 light panel by raising the lock situated 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 identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You might 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 supplied key, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the maker. This is a basic setup and needs no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Make sure 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.
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. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to get rid of the display screen panel. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different 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).
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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Device find this legs are kept 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.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be damaged, and the use of extra 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 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 up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that may have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Be sure 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 carry your pinball maker. Prior to you load it, make sure you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transport.
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 good friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, 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 utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be much easier to get rid of the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.