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

With pinball making a huge resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant desires to make certain that these classic, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the individuals moving them to be safe, too.

At first glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, size, and weight. Thankfully, our competent Giants have a couple of techniques up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of modern-day 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 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 might 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 makers, you require to remove the headbox rear access panel to acquire 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 frequently, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

As soon as within, remove the bolts and unplug the large ports that have circuitry going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, but 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 help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated 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, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), 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 to you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to lift up 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 maker. You might want to label these plugs to put them back in the right area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the wiring should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can lock up the lamp 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 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 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 have to get in. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. 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 need to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. And finally, open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Eliminate the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight 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 eliminated, and the legs will come off.

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and making use of extra nuts may have been required. If this holds true, you will have to open the front door of the pinball, news 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. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise 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. Once 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 match.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before you load it, make sure you remove the this page pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.

It may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the device if you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV. Grab a buddy to help and have among you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs. Move the device in, and after that remove the back legs. It is much easier to load the maker front initially.

Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop all of a sudden!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (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 filling the device. Grab a friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.