Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device



With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these timeless, gorgeous makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move because of their fragility, weight, and size. Fortunately, our knowledgeable 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 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State machines.

Later on makers have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might 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 machines, you need to get rid of 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 place, however with time the key may have been lost. Rather often, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

When within, remove the bolts and disconnect the big connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may desire to identify these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they ought to be various sizes, making it hard to plug back incorrectly.

You can now remove the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Solid State Pinballs

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

Once opened, get rid of the back glass by raising 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 light panel by raising the latch located 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 require you to raise the lamp 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 identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not require to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring should be long enough to enable the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can secure the light panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided 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 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 help keep the back glass in place.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to get within. There is a lock located 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, and then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to remove the screen panel. (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).

Get rid of the 2 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 also 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 threaded plates and captive nuts can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts may 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 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. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. great post to read Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been removed, 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 adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball device. Before you pack it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transportation.

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the device. Get a pal to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, 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 Source 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 using a van or SUV, it may be easier 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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *