This past summer, I built a pinball lift jack tool. The purpose is to make it easier to setup games on their legs, and/or take them down. Since I was doing a show and setting up and tearing down 8-10 games all in one shot, I needed to find an easier way to do with than past methods I've used. So, I have the lift jack tool a try. In short--it worked pretty well.

I originally saw the design buried in the thread here:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-move-a-pinball-machine-alone/page/2#post-3845705
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-move-a-pinball-machine-alone/page/2#post-4065665
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-move-a-pinball-machine-alone/page/2#post-4210965
https://www.jeff-z.com/pinball/lift/index.html

It's a two-piece tool. To set up a game, put the front legs on. Then stick the the frame with the rounded where you would normally use a hand truck, then roll the game onto the floor. Then stick the jack under the frame, and use a drill to jack up the game to the proper height, and put the rear legs on.

To take down a game, put the frame and jack under the game, jack up the game, take off the rear legs. Lower the game to the floor, tip it up, then take off the front legs.

It's fast and the physical effort needed is fairly low.

This isn't my image, but one example I stumbled across from the jeff-z website linked above:

pinball lifter (resized).png

At a later date, I plan to add that hand hole on the frame, and handle on the jack. Otherwise, both are a little awkward to carry around.

Instructions on setting up a game (I'll be showing the steps using photos from different games).

Put on the legs and slip the frame under the butt of the game.
20220918160215877 (resized).jpg

Use the rounded frame to lower the game to the ground.
20220918155932834 (resized).jpg

Slip the jack under the frame
20220810204726041 (resized).jpg
20220810204740673 (resized).jpg

Raise the jack
20220810204939125 (resized).jpg
20220918155833319 (resized).jpg

Put on the legs
20220918155656408 (resized).jpg

And then lower the jack and the game is standing on its own 4 legs.

Pretty straight forward. No struggling to lift the game off the ground by hand, no balancing it on a stool, knee, or a 2x4 I or T shape, or no hauling around a 100+ lb lift cart.

Note: the cardboard is to protect the floor and the butt of the game.

Materials & tools

You'll need a sheet of plywood. I used 3/4" maple 24x48". You'll be using the entire sheet.

First, the sides of the frame will be 14" x 10-1/4". The top will be 14" x 15-1/2".

You will also need 2"x2" square lumber cut to two 12" pieces. These will be the corner pieces for the frame.

You'll also need a scrap piece of 2x4. 5-7" long should do. I used about 6-1/2". This is a brace for on top of the jack.

You will also need an angle iron. 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 10-1/2" You'll probably have to cut down a 12" length piece of angle iron.

And of course the jack: 5000 lb 30" RV Trailer Stabilizer Leveling Scissor Jack. Ebay and amazon have various listings for these under different brand names. It should be around $50-$60.
pasted_image (resized).pngpasted_image (resized).png

(The following to be completed)

Tools:
Some sort of wood saw, jig saw, circular saw, or table saw
Grinding wheel
Spindle & belt sander or disc sander
socket to raise/lower the jack
socket for nuts
Socket adapter
Phillips bits
Drill bits
Hole saws
Drill

Hardware:
bolts
nuts
washers
elevator bolts
wood screws

Optional:
Flex seal or plasti dip spray

reserved 3

reserved 4

reserved 5

I was considering that on mine, but I thought the slotting might weaken the wood too much. Instead, I tried flex seal spray, but it left streaks on tile floor, so I wouldn't recommend that.

I like that idea.