Tips From the Moving Company Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine



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

In the beginning glimpse, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of modern 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, in addition to the early Solid State devices.

Later on makers have hinges and utilize a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 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 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 big adapters that have circuitry going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal area, but they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.

You can now get rid of the headbox entirely, 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 help keep the back glass in location.
Early Strong State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will require to remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.

Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by lifting it up using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and after that pull it out from the bottom.

Open up 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 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 get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not need to remove the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can secure 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 quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the maker. 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 safeguard 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 have to enter. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. 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 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).

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.
Getting rid of the Legs.

Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern 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 require 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 latch across and remove the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You should now have access to any nuts that might 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 remember which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to match.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you fill it, make certain you eliminate the pinballs so they do not bounce around during great post to read transport.

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the maker in, then eliminate the back legs. It is much simpler to pack the device front.

Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have 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 inside. (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).

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

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