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



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

Initially glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. Luckily, our skilled Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority of modern pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.

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 need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. Usually this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but gradually the secret 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 disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You might wish to label these connectors to put them back in the best area, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back incorrectly.

You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Strong State Pinballs

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

Once unlocked, remove 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 lock 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 light 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 device. You might wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal spot. You may not have to eliminate the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can lock up the lamp 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 secret, 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 an easy setup and requires 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 secure 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 have to get inside. 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 have to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally this page 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).

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 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 extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, Homepage you will need to open up 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 lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, lift up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You should now have access to any nuts that may have been utilized. 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.
Loading the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, make certain you eliminate the pinballs so they do not bounce around during transport.

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be much easier to get rid of the legs simply 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.

Make sure 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 devices, you need to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to 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 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 easier to remove the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a friend to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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