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

With pinball making a substantial revival throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, beautiful devices remain damage-free while being transported. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our knowledgeable Giants have a few tricks 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 allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State makers.

Later on machines have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but gradually the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the large ports that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You might wish to label these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they must be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.

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 safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid 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 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the leading or on top of the headbox in the.

Once unlocked, eliminate 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.

Then, open up 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 give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise up the light panel in order to swing it open.

Now that you are within, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry should 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 Solid State Pinballs

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system located at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 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 needs Source no tools.

You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain 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 location.

You need to get inside 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 key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need to eliminate the screen panel. (Some more recent 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 use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Remove the two bolts, put the weblink back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or click site blankets to safeguard 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 Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The contemporary 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 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 latch across and remove the lock down bar. Slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You ought to now have access to any nuts that may have been used. When any nuts have been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Make sure 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 prepared to transfer your pinball machine. Before you load it, make sure you get rid of the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be much easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the maker. Get a good friend to have and assist among you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs. Move the device in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.

Ensure you strap the pinball in, as 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 different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs use 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 simply prior to filling the maker. Get a pal to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.