Ship a Pinball Machine
To ship a pinball machine, you must first make sure the machine is safe and secure for the long haul. Don't let a shipper wrap your game--you should do it yourself. It's the only way to know with some certainty that your valuable pin is properly protected. Take some pictures of the game before and after you wrap it; this can serve as proof of pre-shipment condition. Once you have wrapped the pinball machine, the shipper can take over.
Instructions
1. Remove the loose pinballs from the game cabinet and play field. You do not want these rolling around during shipment, causing untold damage to the game parts. Also remove the coin box, owner's manual and anything else that is loose inside the cabinet. Set all of these items aside.
2. Pull the power cord up all the way inside the cabinet. Bind it with zip ties.
3. Lock or tape the coin door so that it won't swing open.
4. Wrap two or three tight layers of shrink wrap around the entire game except the legs. You can find shrink wrap at a moving supply store; buy it in quantity. Wrap the backbox as well, but wrap it separately from the rest of the game so that you can still fold it down.
5. Carefully fold down the backbox onto the cabinet. Place thick foam padding underneath the backbox to protect the glass.
6. Place cardboard or heavy foam along the edges of the backbox. Use a heavy, ratcheting cord to tightly secure the backbox to the cabinet. You will be shipping the game upright, so the backbox must be 100 percent secure.
7. Wrap a dozen or more tight layers of shrink wrap around the game except the legs. Don't skimp on the wrap; keep layering it on until you think it is outrageously thick.
8. Place a layer of heavy cardboard over the game, taping to the shrink wrap as necessary to hold it into place. Don't cover the legs.
9. Remove the four legs of the game using an open-end wrench to pull out the bolts. You may need an assistant. Place the game right-side up on the ground. Set the legs aside with the other loose items.
10. Secure foam padding to all edges of the game, and add a few more tight layers of shrink wrap over the entire game. Lift the game up as needed to reach the bottom side.
11. Place the legs, bolts, coin box, pinballs, owner's manual and any other loose items from the pinball game into a box. This box can either ship separately or you can try to secure the box to the game with tape.
12. Select a shipper. Make sure the shipper handles arcade games, and get a definitive quote that includes insurance. Find out if you must drive the machine to the shipping drop-off site yourself, or if the shipper offers direct pickup from your location. For examples of possible shippers, see Resources.
Tips Warnings
Pinball machines are fragile, and each machine is different, so shipping methods will vary. Use your best judgment when wrapping the game and selecting a shipper.
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