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How much is enough space between machines?

By Fezmid

3 years ago

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31 posts
29 Pinsiders participating
Latest reply 3 years ago by crujones4life
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Topic poll

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“How much space at a minumum do you like between backboxes?”

Backbox touching 10 votes

9%
Between 1"-2" 58 votes

50%
Between 2"-3" 25 votes

22%
Between 3"-4" 10 votes

9%
More than 4" 13 votes

11%

(116 votes)

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#1 3 years ago

FEZ

Fezmid

Pinside member

9y 89,300 1,863

I've seen a few posts about "how close is too close" but I'll start a new one since it's been awhile, and also throw in a poll.

My room is 160" wide, and it looks like a normal backbox is ~28" wide. I currently have four machines, but could squeeze in a 5th. If I did that, I'd have only ~3.3" between backboxes. That doesn't bother me, but I'm worried it might be too close to actually get to the backbox if I had to.

This is basically me trying to figure out if I can buy AIQ or the (rumored) new GnR (or both!), and if I'd have to sell a machine first. Thoughts?

#2 3 years ago

BJA

lowbeau67

Pinside+ Frequent

Mount Washington, KY

6y 105K 1,211 5 6 1

I like about 8 inches at least.( That's what she said!)
But it does allow for me to see my cabinet and backbox
sideart.

#3 3 years ago

TOM

Thomas3184

Pinside member

Folsom, CA

3y 47,550 472 5 27

Just push them together now and leave space for the 5th.

#4 3 years ago

MRM

mrm_4

Pinside+ Frequent

6y 126K 6,214 11 1

CDC says 6 feet

Wokka wokka wokka

#5 3 years ago

BWK

Krupps4

Pinside member

Minneapolis, MN

5y 95,050 2,103 2 12

I’d be uncomfortable with anything less than 4”. If you look at how long 4” is it isn’t much. I can’t imagine putting them 1 or 2 inches apart.

#6 3 years ago

Pinaddikt

Inactive member

Ceresco, MI

4y 22,650 43 3

4” / 3.3” - sounds like a 5th pin!!

#7 3 years ago

JDD

jackd104

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 101K 3,908 11 14 1

I have limited space. Machines are as close as possible but so backboxes can’t rub together. About half an inch I guess.

#8 3 years ago

FEZ

Fezmid

Pinside member

9y 89,300 1,863

If I put the end machines near the wall, I could have 5" between machines....

#9 3 years ago

MEH

ThePinballCo-op

The Pinball Co-op

9y 115K 1,752 40

OP
Quoted from Fezmid:
If I put the end machines near the wall, I could have 5" between machines....

That sounds fine to me. I think I've had them closer than that without an issue.

#10 3 years ago

RPG

tilted81

Pinside+ Addict

11y 104K 2,389 45

3-4 inches gives me just enough to squeeze between

#11 3 years ago

DAD

titanpenguin

Pinside member

9y 125K 27,629

Things to consider:

Do you want to have to pull the machine out to do work?

Do you nudge the games or do you rock and roll it? Too close together and you'll bang them together.

That said, I keep mine 1-2" apart at the back box. I can still do most maintenance by simply angling the machines to either side out a little. I gently nudge and have never hit back boxes.

#12 3 years ago

RUS

russdx

Pinside member

8y 60,800 2,087 5

Who here can still squeeze between them with back boxes touching

#13 3 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Hopkins, MN

12y 191K 56,991 24 7

I have the cabinets 8" apart by the flipper buttons.

LTG : )

#14 3 years ago

ROK

hitcher

Pinside member

4y 18,400 4

Get a 5th!
3" between back boxes is more than enough.

#15 3 years ago

Pinballsoul

Inactive member

3y 31,400 109 1

If your using sparkplug gappers to play, their too close together.

#16 3 years ago

MKK

drummermike

Pinside+ Frequent

Bethlehem, PA

8y 113K 2,367 10 39 1

I have eleven in a row. First one 1" from wall. One inch between backboxes till they get close to pool table. I pull them out to work on them which is not often.

#17 3 years ago

CAH

ReadyPO

Pinside+ Frequent

6y 197K 5,918 129

OP
Quoted from Fezmid:
If I did that, I'd have only ~3.3" between backboxes.

Only 3.3"? Plenty of room, just pull out to work on.

#18 3 years ago

LCP

ryanwanger

Comet Pinball

Boulder, CO

10y 100K 2,651 88

That’s plenty of space. Do it.

#19 3 years ago

MJO

arcademojo

Pinside member

10y 131K 5,513 30

I have 7 along one wall that are about 2” apart and 9 along another wall that are 1” apart.
If I slide a few games over at the fronts and pull the game out a little I can get to the backbox.
Only had one person slam a head to the next. I now have Pungulp cup holders on so you really don’t have much room to slide.

#20 3 years ago

???

Mike_J

Pinside member

13y 99,550 5,400 58

I’m a freak.
I need to see the side art on my machines.

#21 3 years ago

???

phil-lee

Pinside member

8y 91,550 4,217

If you place them close together allow for front clearance to pull them out to work on.
Limited on front space? Don't pack them, you will have to comfortably access the head and have side space for the internals.
I like to allow enough space I can "Tilt" the rear out a little one way or the other while playing.
They must slide easily with hardwood, vinyl or tile flooring and felt feet pads.

#22 3 years ago

JAY

jaytrem

Pinside+ Frequent

Cranford, NJ

7y 125K 2,379 17

Can get into the negative numbers if you put a wedgehead next to a woodrail. Yup, too close, need to knock down a wall.

1601861859874529001856 (resized).jpg

#23 3 years ago

BOB

MrSanRamon

Pinside member

San Ramon, CA

19y 107K 3,489 6

If you have them really close and you have more than a few people playing, it’s difficult for the spectators to see game play.

Robert

#24 3 years ago

AMS

barakandl

nvram.weebly.com

12y 132K 10,420

pretty tightly spaced but not backbox touching. Maybe an inch or two of space between backboxes. I try and put wide body games in places with more room.

If I had a bigger house I would have more space between. Got rid of the couch in the living room for more pin space and turned a spare bedroom into the TV room =D

Looking forward to upgrading house in a few years. I am picturing a big ranch with full basement.

#25 3 years ago

ZOD

Hazoff

Inactive member

Unknown

10y 112K 8,542

Quoted from russdx:
Who here can still squeeze between them with back boxes touching

Its no problem for me, but only when the game in the middle is just a back box.

#26 3 years ago

?Z?

phishrace

Pinside member

Unknown

12y 46,900 4,913

3" is plenty. And I'm an avid nudger. I had games about 1" apart in my townhouse. I bought a cheap high density foam yoga mat and cut it into pieces to go between the heads. 3" gives plenty of room to shift the front of a game over to get more side access.

As long as it's your home and not a public location, you'll be fine. 3" is still enough to death save, if you're good at them.

#27 3 years ago

BAD

Spiderpin

Pinside+ Addict

6y 107K 2,706

I'm at 3.5 inch apart. Have room to work on if needed. I have a step stool between every other one.

20201005_135223 (resized).jpg

20201005_135228 (resized).jpg

20201005_135300 (resized).jpg

#28 3 years ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Crazy Levi's Pinball

New York, NY

10y 148K 33,560

OP
Quoted from Fezmid:
I've seen a few posts about "how close is too close" but I'll start a new one since it's been awhile, and also throw in a poll.
My room is 160" wide, and it looks like a normal backbox is ~28" wide. I currently have four machines, but could squeeze in a 5th. If I did that, I'd have only ~3.3" between backboxes. That doesn't bother me, but I'm worried it might be too close to actually get to the backbox if I had to.
This is basically me trying to figure out if I can buy AIQ or the (rumored) new GnR (or both!), and if I'd have to sell a machine first. Thoughts?

Three inches between games is PLENTY. Just have a lifting cart so you can pull games out of the bank if you need to do some serious work.

#29 3 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,081 19 30 1

Heads almost touching close is fine.
If you can get some more room then do it, but don't worry aboot it.

#30 3 years ago

FEZ

Fezmid

Pinside member

9y 89,300 1,863

Quoted from Spiderpin:
I'm at 3.5 inch apart. Have room to work on if needed. I have a step stool between every other one.
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

Thanks - great to see the visualization!

#31 3 years ago

ELJ

crujones4life

Pinside member

Cedar Hill, MO

9y 110K 4,317 10 16

Far enough apart to get in-between them easily.

20200222_211510 (resized).jpg

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