Tips From the Moving Company Pros: Ways To Move a Pinball Maker

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

At very first glance, pinball devices can appear daunting 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

The bulk of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 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 latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to remove 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 over 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 wiring going down into the device. You might wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they ought to be different sizes, making it tough 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 protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs

For early Strong State Pinballs, you will require to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of 3 places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.

As soon as opened, get rid of the back glass by lifting it up using 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 latch situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and offer you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to lift 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 machine. You may wish to label these plugs to put them back in the best spot. You might not have to eliminate the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, 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 located at the back of the headbox. Using 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 machine. This is a simple setup and requires 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 safeguard 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 eliminate the screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock 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 belongs to 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 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 Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be harmed, and making use of additional nuts might have been needed. 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 across and eliminate the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by Bonuses positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Make certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to help and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the device in, and then remove the back legs. It is a lot easier to fill the maker front first.

Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (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 utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be 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.