Quoted from Skybug:And today I found out I can lift both glass and playfield! But is it safe? So convenient though.
Properly remove the canopy playfield glass frame from the game when needing to work on the playfield.
It is NOT worth the risk. Respectfully, I must disagree with LTG. I will explain why.
There is a chance the glass canopy can slip from the channel slam onto the playfield due to twisting. (especially if BOTH safety bars is not correctly used, as often they can be missing), and the whole set of parts can drop into the cabinet, damaging the playfield, or the whole topside can fall into the lower assembly (really bad...). There is no "track" just the wood rest channel in the lower cabinet. If the entire mess falls into the cabinet, there will be a lot more issues to resolve.
I watched this happen personally, when an operators / owners were being careless several times over the past 30+ years.
Due to the age of the game, DO NOT use the wood "cheater bar" either on the playfield itself (not playfield glass), as they can cause the playfield paint to craze or crack due to dry warp. This is almost guaranteed and end up with a very "sad face". Look at Joust photos and see how the playfield is slightly leaning. Not good.
However, ALWAYS use BOTH slim metal "cheater bars" on the canopy glass (as found in the slots of the lower cabinet), if you must make a quick adjustment to the playfield or a ball is stuck. Mind your fingers on the cabinet, or you may get big splinters!
You can make a wood "slot bar" or homemade oversize "C" clamp, to hold a playfield in the FULL vertical position OR proper set of "prop bars" for for adjustable height if used with notches and temporarily mounted on the front on the lower cabinet near the coin door area for proper troubleshooting and maintenance. Both these types of bars equalize or minimize the stress and avoid the common warping of PF "cheater bars" problems.
FUN FACT: Did you know the ENTIRE LOWER assembly has its own rotational lift arm lock for making for repair in MANY Bally 60s/70s games? Look closely UNDERNEATH the lower assembly...you might be surprised.
Keep Flipping,
- TBK