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

With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Mild Giant desires to make sure that these timeless, beautiful devices 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 size, fragility, and weight. Luckily, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee 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 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 utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to get to the bolts and plugs inside. Typically this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key 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 unplug the large ports that have circuitry going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging 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 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 require to get rid of 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.

When opened, get rid of 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.

Then, open the back box light panel by raising 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 need you to raise 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 may want to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the circuitry should be long enough to allow the headbox check my blog to be folded down.

At this point, you can secure the light panel and change 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. Utilizing the provided secret, 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 a basic setup and needs no tools.

If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. 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.

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 the supplied 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 have to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later 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. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard 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 Device 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 captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this holds true, you will require 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. Move out the playfield glass, Homepage and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been removed, 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 in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transfer your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to loading the machine. Grab a friend to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes 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 Source devices, you need to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some newer 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).

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be simpler to remove the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.