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



With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Mild Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.

In the beginning glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, size, and weight. Thankfully, our experienced Giants have a couple of 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 approximately) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.

Later on makers have hinges and use 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 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 with time the key may have been lost. Quite frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might want to label these ports to put them back in the best area, however they need to be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.

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 assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in among 3 areas: 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 raising it up utilizing 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 eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not need to remove the plugs, as the electrical wiring ought to be long enough to enable 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 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 basic setup and requires no tools.

If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. moving pinball machine 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 help keep the back glass in place.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you need to get inside. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then 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 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. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Machine legs are held in place 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 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 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 up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and lift the playfield up.

You ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. As soon as any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change 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 suit.
Filling the Pinball.

You are now all set to transfer your pinball device. 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 remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

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

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs within. (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 easier to remove the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

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