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



With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.

In the beginning look, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their size, fragility, and weight. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most 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 machines have hinges and use a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to 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. Quite often, 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 device. You might desire to label these connectors to put them back in the best spot, however they must 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. 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 situated 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.

When opened, get rid of the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.

Open up the back box light panel by raising the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out towards you, and give 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 inside, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the device. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not need 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 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 latch 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 device. 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 likewise assist keep the back glass in location.

You need to get inside if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use the supplied key to unlock, and remove 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 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).

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 Device legs are kept in place by eight great post to read bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be removed, and the legs will come off.

However these captive nuts and threaded plates can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will have 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access to any nuts that might have been used. When any nuts have been removed, replace 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 changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Prior to you fill it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't 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. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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 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 simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Grab a buddy to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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