What do I need to tombstone/move pins? Shrink wrap, straps reccomendations please!

[David_Vi]

All my pins have arrived then been set up, I've not had to move any yet.

The - to be - pin room is getting a new door put in which will cause extreme amounts of dust... There's two pins in there at the moment.

I'm thinking of either covering them with a lot of dust sheets, shrink wrapping them....
Or tombstoning two in the adjacent room then putting the pin room two in there with them (4pins folded will fit where two sat set up I believe?).

What do I need?
I've been saving lots of foam and cardboard but need ratchet straps and shrink wrap I believe?
But what sizes and type? The prices seem to vary a lot so I'd like some help.

 

[steve brum]

Do not shrink machines long term as it can pull artwork off. Brown tape another no no . Bubble wrap a layer then shrink as a last resort

 

[Rob zombie]

Put desiccant bags inside them. Don't forget to take the balls out.

 

[Wayne J]

If it's just dust, I wouldn't even bother covering them. Dust won't get inside the machines and you can then just dry wipe them later.

If you need to tombstone them 5m endless ratchet straps. The kind without hooks are best, and I always strap them end over end, rather than widthways, as it not only is less likely to slip (as that way it's not tapered) but also leaves an air gap between the back box where the metalwork of the strap can sit without risking scratching. When folding the head down a couple of pieces of foam or cardboard will prevent damaging the siderails or backbox, for over the top protection you can put some cardboard where the strap touches the cabinet.

 

[mufcmufc]

You're far more likely to get dust in the machine if broken down. I'd tape over the small vent holes on the underside (at the back) and cover/tape the bass speaker hole, then then shrink wrap or cover the backbox (speaker holes and gap in backglass). If it were me, I'd probably leave the rest of the machine and then hoover the dust off with a soft attachment

 

[David_Vi]

Do not shrink machines long term as it can pull artwork off. Brown tape another no no . Bubble wrap a layer then shrink as a last resort

Ah didn't consider that! First time it'll only be for a week, if that while a door is cut into a wall

Put desiccant bags inside them. Don't forget to take the balls out.

Interesting! Is moisture an issue short term?

If it's just dust, I wouldn't even bother covering them. Dust won't get inside the machines and you can then just dry wipe them later.

If you need to tombstone them 5m endless ratchet straps. The kind without hooks are best, and I always strap them end over end, rather than widthways, as it not only is less likely to slip (as that way it's not tapered) but also leaves an air gap between the back box where the metalwork of the strap can sit without risking scratching. When folding the head down a couple of pieces of foam or cardboard will prevent damaging the siderails or backbox, for over the top protection you can put some cardboard where the strap touches the cabinet.

I'm nervous because when I've had channels chased into walls the room has filled with so much dust you can't see from one end to the other, and it seems to get everywhere!
I assumed it'll find its way into a pin.
Originally I thought just using dust sheets, although I do have two pin covers from Dave bishop so maybe those along with sheets.

Saying that, I will need to move them when the room is plastered and floor goes in, would these straps suffice?
6 Packs Ratchet Tie Down Straps (5M,3M) 25mm 200 kg Direct Lashing Straps Tensioning Belts Adjustable Quick Release Cam Buckles Endless Loop Cargo Straps Van Motorcycle Trucks Trailer Luggage https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CV9M8YW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_ZNN2PARSYQAJ3CYYCZJM

You're far more likely to get dust in the machine if broken down. I'd tape over the small vent holes on the underside (at the back) and cover/tape the bass speaker hole, then then shrink wrap or cover the backbox (speaker holes and gap in backglass). If it were me, I'd probably leave the rest of the machine and then hoover the dust off with a soft attachment

I might do this along with a dust sheet or pinball cover just to be sure, I worry with the kind of dust from walls/bricks when I wipe the pin clean it'll scratch

 

[JAG555]

i did this a couple of years back with arcade machines. I just got some large polythene bags and taped them together over the machines. Dust gets everywhere and the last thing you want is dust on the boards.

Always better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 2463]

just get the cheap dust covers from B&Q and wrap around the games loosely:

GoodHome Large Dust sheet, (L)4m, (W)5m

General purpose 4m x 5m dust sheet protects surfaces while decorating.

www.diy.com

 

[Jmac]

Personally I wouldn’t use the straps you have linked above as I have seen that kind slip if you use the tombstone route. I find this kind better

 

[JAG555]

I recently bought a couple of these and they are amazingly easy to use and low risk of damage too, compared to the ratchet strap, as you cannot over tighten.

Pinball Moving Straps - Pinballpro.com

Pinball Moving Straps. An easy and secure way to strap your pinball machine head to the cabinet, no matter the make or model!

pinballpro.net

 

[Pick Holder]

Dust will get in machines - I have seen many games post-building work!

Just use cardboard - ratchet strap - then a dust sheet over the whole thing.

 

[Rob zombie]

Ah didn't consider that! First time it'll only be for a week, if that while a door is cut into a wall


Interesting! Is moisture an issue short term?



I'm nervous because when I've had channels chased into walls the room has filled with so much dust you can't see from one end to the other, and it seems to get everywhere!
I assumed it'll find its way into a pin.
Originally I thought just using dust sheets, although I do have two pin covers from Dave bishop so maybe those along with sheets.

Saying that, I will need to move them when the room is plastered and floor goes in, would these straps suffice?
6 Packs Ratchet Tie Down Straps (5M,3M) 25mm 200 kg Direct Lashing Straps Tensioning Belts Adjustable Quick Release Cam Buckles Endless Loop Cargo Straps Van Motorcycle Trucks Trailer Luggage https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CV9M8YW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_ZNN2PARSYQAJ3CYYCZJM




I might do this along with a dust sheet or pinball cover just to be sure, I worry with the kind of dust from walls/bricks when I wipe the pin clean it'll scratch

I normally shrink wrap them when tombstoning and put them in the garage or wherever. So I make sure to put as many desiccant bags in there as I can as any sharp difference in temperature can produce condensation. It's something I'm always aware of as mine now live in the conservatory, so there's a Meaco in there keeping everything sub 50% humidity. I even have sensors that will send alerts to my phone if the humidity rises or temperature goes out of acceptable ranges.

 

[Colywobbles]

I’ve always put ratchet strap with that heavy card angle stuff protecting the cab but not over tightened.
Then I throw a large blanket over the top of each one.
I’m sure there’s a better method but this is how I’ve done it for years.

 

[Happypin]

Colywobbies way is the best way, I was a builder and dust will definitely find its way into a pinball machine.
when the plasterers arrive don’t have anything in the room.
You will have dust in other rooms not just the one your working on.
Good Luck.

 

[David_Vi]

Colywobbies way is the best way, I was a builder and dust will definitely find its way into a pinball machine.
when the plasterers arrive don’t have anything in the room.
You will have dust in other rooms not just the one your working on.
Good Luck.

I've had walls chased in other rooms and remember the thick cloud of dust ,then finding it everywhere. Hence my concern for the pins.

Personally I wouldn’t use the straps you have linked above as I have seen that kind slip if you use the tombstone route. I find this kind better

View attachment 155980

Are these the same type?
Did you buy that exact products or just that specification as there's lots with the same photos.

 

[Jmac]

Yes David they will work fine

 

[Moonraker]

Got mine from here:

800kg Mini Ratchet Endless

800kg rated strength with a minimum break strain of 400 DAN Used for securing/lashing and fastening loads. All our ratchets conform to EN12195-2:2001 safety performance requirements. Quick release mechanism for easy use. Produced from 100% polyester material. Available in 1.5m (endless), 4.5m...

www.theratchetshop.com

 

[David_Vi]

Bumping....
I got a few that are great for keeping the machine folded.

But what about for securing them to the sides of a van? I assume I need hooked ones, but how long?

 

[Wayne J]

Doesn't make much difference whether they're hooked or not.
Definitely get the longest you can.

I prefer the 'infinity style' straps as in the above couple of posts, rather than the styles which come in 2 parts

 

[David_Vi]

Doesn't make much difference whether they're hooked or not.
Definitely get the longest you can.

I prefer the 'infinity style' straps as in the above couple of posts, rather than the styles which come in 2 parts

I thought I needed hooks to secure to the side of the van? Or can I just loop around the inside of the van?
Thought I'd need a certain length as sometimes you can't tighten them any further but if looped I suppose it makes no difference?

 

[Wayne J]

I thought I needed hooks to secure to the side of the van? Or can I just loop around the inside of the van?

The problem with hooks is sometimes the hooks are too thick to fit behind the stanchion on the side of the van

Thought I'd need a certain length as sometimes you can't tighten them any further but if looped I suppose it makes no difference?

Hence the infinity style straps

 

[Epotech]

Tombstoning:
remove the AA batteries!
you did remove the batteries, didn't you?
put a dessicant bag in there, if you can
use a long ratchet strap, strap it LENGTHWAYS, NOT around the head widthways. They come new like this for a reason.
protect the sides, travel blanket etc, bubble wrap and stretch wrap can hold moisture.
store in a dry, rodent free location.

 

[David_Vi]

Tombstoning:
remove the AA batteries!
you did remove the batteries, didn't you?
put a dessicant bag in there, if you can
use a long ratchet strap, strap it LENGTHWAYS, NOT around the head widthways. They come new like this for a reason.
protect the sides, travel blanket etc, bubble wrap and stretch wrap can hold moisture.
store in a dry, rodent free location.

We sent Rosie off with Martin like this after advice from this thread.

Just figuring out how to take a bunch in Luton in a few months now. I only have enough straps to tombstone not to secure to the van yet