I'm looking for something that will make it easy for me to install/remove the legs from a machine when I am alone. What would you guys recommend? Some type of dolly on wheels that you jack up?
(Topic ID: 9195)
Norwood, OH
Sana'a
Thanks for the link! That dolly looks really nice. It's expensive, but in my experience, you generally get what you pay for. This particular dolly looks like it would be a commercial grade piece of equipment.
I use folding bar stools from Xmas tree shop. Its a challenge to move the pin anywhere from those stools with just one person but it is doable. I've moved all my pins that way. Just using 2 people
If I am just taking one off at a time then I use my Knee as a prop. If all 4 are coming off for refurb then I use sawhorses.
Much cheaper hydraulic lift option is below. Wesperron seems to have the same lift and he posted a picture of how he did it.
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinball-dolly
I modified the bar in front on mine with a hinge to get it out of the way so I can position the lift where ever I want it usually straight in front and underneath in the middle. Well worth the minimal cost IMO.
I use a single old leg.
Place it in the center on the back take off the legs and lower (balances itself)
Tilt up take off front.
Reverse to install legs.
I salute all of you who have made your own or modified the one from Harbor Freight. I know I could duplicate it but I just cant help longing for the Penguin Dolly. Saving my pennies but until then its the cut-down barstool for me.
Kamloops, BC
I moved this pin2k revenge from mars into my house by myself in the middle of the night while my wife was sleeping. Heavy sob! 350lbs.
Cut down bar stools work but i didnt have one.
I used super sliders, small wheel dollies under each leg and my pin posts.
Pin posts. Cut heavy 4 x 4 PVC Fence post. 1 or 2 inches taller then base of pin. Mitter saw works. You need two sets. The back is higher due to tilt. These are light and easy to store.
Lean post against front or back of pin. Lift pin. Post will fall into position under pin. Use 2 for stability.
Hope this helps. 
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Sydney
I see a lot of people use the bar stool. I figure if it will hold my heaviest friend (which is heavy!) it will hold the front of a pinball 
Quoted from SealClubber:If I am just taking one off at a time then I use my Knee as a prop. If all 4 are coming off for refurb then I use sawhorses.
That's right Seal, man up!
I'm with the sealclubber(but not for seal clubbing, they party way too hard). Put front legs on and tilt forward, put cab on your knee and attach the back legs.
These work really well. I need to cut a piece for the rear legs for mine. http://www.pinballnews.com/learn/pinballjack/index.html
Quoted from TaylorVA:I'm with the sealclubber(but not for seal clubbing, they party way too hard). Put front legs on and tilt forward, put cab on your knee and attach the back legs.
funny stuff!
Quoted from TaylorVA:I'm with the sealclubber(but not for seal clubbing, they party way too hard). Put front legs on and tilt forward, put cab on your knee and attach the back legs.
ditto
Quoted from Pin_Crazed:I see a lot of people use the bar stool. I figure if it will hold my heaviest friend (which is heavy!) it will hold the front of a pinball
PC I hope I'm not your "heavy" friend.
Best ones ever made were the old Wicos. Sherman tanks. You'd have to luck into one on your local CL.
Penguins are a new imitation.
I cheaped out and modded a 500 lb HF table. Does the job pretty good. Cylinder can have a short lifespan. But I can make four of these to one Penguin.
If you need the directions for the mod, LMK.
Quoted from gweempose:So if money wasn't an issue, does everyone agree that the Penguin dolly is the best solution?
Well the lifts do the exact same thing. The Penguin seems like it would provide a little more stability than some cheaper lifts so in that way it may be a bit better. But in the end they all do the same thing lift it up and drop it back down. IMO if you are single handed there is nothing quicker, easier, or better than using a hydraulic lift.
Depends.
I have a penguin in my gameroom. It works OK, but it's too high. I have plush carpet, and the penguin often won't fit under the front of the pin. I usually have to put it in from the side of the pin and lift it up.
Have a Wico lift in the workshop. It has concrete floors, so it doesn't have the height issue. Shock is worn out on my Wico lift, so it drops the pin pretty 'roughly'.
Also have a modified lift table in the workshop. It has a piece of plywood on top of it to cushion it under the pin, as the metal table could marr things up.
But when I'm taking a game from folded to on legs, I bolt the front legs on, tip it down, lift the back end onto a barstool, and attach the legs.
Once it's on its legs, if I need to remove a single leg to replace a leg plate, or change the levelers, or something like that, I just use the lift, remove the leg, service whatever, and reattach the leg.
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