Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker
With pinball making a substantial resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wants to make certain that these classic, gorgeous makers remain damage-free while being transported. 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, size, and weight. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of techniques 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 makers had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to 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 added safety, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically 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 place.
Once inside, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may want to label these ports to put them back in the ideal area, but they ought to be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Strong State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of 3 locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.
When unlocked, eliminate 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 lifting the lock situated 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 going down into the machine. You may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring should be long enough to allow 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 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 need 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 get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to eliminate the 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 on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize 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. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. navigate to this website Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Getting rid of 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 required. 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 find this 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, raise the playfield by positioning 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 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 prepared to transport your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you remove 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 machine. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Slide the maker in, then get rid of the back legs. It is much easier to load the maker front.
Make sure 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 using 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.