Pinball erection device.

Here's something I dreamed up while I was recovering from a back injury while vowing to never strain my back again by putting a pinball on its legs... I've put around 20 games on their legs using this, and it's still going strong...

materials:
1 hydraulic trolley jack
1 sack barra
About 0.5m2 18mm ply
0.5 bicycle tyre
Wood glue
Screws, various lengths
Nuts and bolts as seen fit

Tools:
Angle grinder
Jig saw
Screw driver
Spanner
Welding machine

I actually made this over 15 years ago, not sure if I made drawings for it, but the below pics show it in action...

Not only does it get the game from vertical to horizontal with enough height to get the legs on, it can also be used to wheel the game around into its slot in the line up... obviously you can therefore also use it to wheel games out of a line-up to work on them...

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#2 3 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Great idea.

I saw a commercial version of this that costs a lot of money.

Yours looks as good if not better and a fraction of the cost.

Thank you for sharing !

LTG : )

#3 3 years ago

JAY

jaytrem

Pinside+ Frequent

Cranford, NJ

7y 125K 2,379 17

Very cool!

#4 3 years ago

???

nicoy3k

Pinside member

Acton, MA

3y 66,050 3,025 1 14

Yup read title and expected something totally different. Think shaker motor attached to a flesh light.

#5 3 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member

Quoted from LTG:
I saw a commercial version of this that costs a lot of money

Would be interested to see this, curious what it looks like! Do you recall where you saw it?

#6 3 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from pinballslave:
Would be interested to see this, curious what it looks like! Do you recall where you saw it?

I believe there was a link on Pinside at one time. I haven't been able to find it.

Looked like a pinball cart. You placed it to the upright game like an appliance dolly. Put a strap around it. It would lower itself to the ground, and then pull the game on top of it. Then you could raise the game up to put the legs on and remove the cart.

Around $5K as I recall.

Maybe someone else will remember it or have a link to it ?

LTG : )

#7 3 years ago

JPD

Dayhuff

Pinside member

Battle Creek, MI

11y 126K 6,353 79 11

There were guys at Expo that sold these for years, like what LTG is talking about. I don't recall them being $5K though, maybe less then $500? It's been years.

John

#8 3 years ago

GEM

Silverballer

Pinside member

14y 88,300 3,238 51

I tend struggle getting the legs on and the game upright without assistance. On occasion I have a waited a few days for help. The mere thought of hurting my back is enough to override the excitement to get the game setup. I would consider buying one of these if the price was right.

#9 3 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Quoted from Dayhuff:
There were guys at Expo that sold these for years, like what LTG is talking about. I don't recall them being $5K though, maybe less then $500? It's been years.

That was the pinball lifter guys. A lift table modified. Bruce Knightingale and his Father. I don't believe they sell them anymore.

What I saw on line was fancier and had more hydraulics and stuff.

LTG : )

#10 3 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Quoted from Dayhuff:
There were guys at Expo that sold these for years, like what LTG is talking about. I don't recall them being $5K though, maybe less then $500? It's been years.

Bruce and his Father made things like this. No longer available. And not what I was referring to. But similar.

LTG : )

#11 3 years ago

DPE

zpinman370

Pinside+ Frequent

6y 73,800 694 10

Quoted from nicoy3k:
Yup read title and expected something totally different. Think shaker motor attached to a flesh light.

I was thinking more like the new JJP GnR- got a woody as soon i saw it

#12 3 years ago

LXL

Isochronic_Frost

Saratoga Silverball

7y 221K 9,403 108 1 1

In all honestly I just use my pincart the same way. Cart is rebuilt with new grommets and seals so it doesn’t leak. Tip the cart up so the top lines up with the bottom lip of that game. Tilt the game forwards and slowly lower the whole cart and pin forwards. Then use the lift cart in its normal way.

It would be a bit easier if you install locking wheels on the cart. So far I’ve used my method on 4 games and had no issues or spills with the hydraulics.

#13 3 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member

Quoted from LTG:
Bruce and his Father made things like this. No longer available. And not what I was referring to. But similar.

That's a cool device too... probably a touch more expensive than my gizmo, but does the job great! Just like mine, you have to remember to lower the jack fully before putting the game vertical (when taking a game into the storage position) or the whole thing can end up 'on it's roof'

#14 3 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member

Quoted from Isochronic_Frost:
In all honestly I just use my pincart the same way. Cart is rebuilt with new grommets and seals so it doesn’t leak. Tip the cart up so the top lines up with the bottom lip of that game. Tilt the game forwards and slowly lower the whole cart and pin forwards. Then use the lift cart in its normal way.

Would be curious to see some pics of that...

#15 3 years ago

RKR

BillyPilgrim

Pinside+ Frequent

Omaha, NE

6y 65,650 152 15 3

Take my money!

#16 3 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member

Quoted from BillyPilgrim:
Take my money!

I'm not planning to make another one, but if you, or anyone, want any more details so you can make your own, and feel the relief of pain free erections, just let me know

#17 3 years ago

MIS

Lhyrgoif

Pinside member

5y 107K 8,621

I get an erection every time I see a pinball, so I don't need a device for that

#18 3 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-move-a-pinball-machine-alone

Quoted from Lhyrgoif:
I get an erection every time I see a pinball, so I don't need a device for that

Even Student Prince?

#19 3 years ago

RON

NYP

New York Pinball

Smithtown, NY

12y 72,800 1,384 6 3

Sorry to hear you needed help with your erections but glad you found a clever solution!

#20 3 years ago

ZUL

Caucasian2Step

Evil McBooty

12y 163K 1,455 51 1011

I have always wanted a barco-pin-lounger...

Well played!

#21 3 years ago

F W

AUKraut

WilliPinball

7y 113K 2,787

Nice!! I built a set of these here a few years ago, a real back saver and works beautifully!

Here is the thread describing all the parts needed, start on page 2:

#22 3 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member