I’ve searched the forums for a pinball lift and came up with what I think is the easiest solution. I spent $269 on the table and another $7 to modify it. See pictures for detail.

The 1000lb table has a larger more stable lifting surface than the 500lb lift and has a folding handle to store it under a pin. It fits between front legs easily. However the handle won’t fold backward so the lift can slide further under a pin from the front.

There is a metal bar at the hinge on the side by the lift. I’m shown holding it in its original place to demonstrate. Cut this bar on either side where it meets the metal tabs with a reciprocating saw and a metal blade. Cut the bar at the other hinge also. The handle will now swing backward.

Use a 5/16” metal drill bit to drill through the tabs on each side where the bar was welded in. Pass a 1/4” x 2” round head wire lock pin ($3.52 x 2 of them) through the holes. This locks the hinge in place to use upright again. Remove the pins to lower the handle backward.

This modification cost $7 and took me all of 15 minutes. Four cuts and four drilled holes. It preserves the original strength and design to use the lift handle upright while letting the handle fold back to move the table under games and to fold forward as designed for storage.

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