Quoted from MT45:Built myself a pinball lift!
I posted this on my Gameroom build thread but thought it might be helpful here as well.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/gameroom-advice
Probably one of the handiest things for setting up or breaking down a game. Wish I would have done this years ago.
I used plans for this at this awesome site:
https://www.jeff-z.com/pinball/lift/index.html
I saw this page ages ago and it just looked a little to McGyver to build ... but with a 40+ pin move ahead of me ... well, let's just say I got motivated to find the easiest way to set up/take down a pin! I am pretty good at doing it alone even now. Add front legs, tilt toward yourself until front legs hit BUT it's right at this spot that it gets hard. You got to slip your hands into the wire passage in the cabinet, grab the edges and lift until you can get your hands under the cabinet. Then maneuver your 4x4 post (or whatever you use) under the cab to support it while you add the rear legs. It's the same issue during take down but in reverse.
This tool eliminates that pain point entirely by using an RV stabilizer Jack to do the lifting or setting down - very cool
I ordered everything from Amazon
Jack here
amazon.com link »
Adapter for drill here
amazon.com link »
Got the aluminum angle stock at HD
I had 3/4" plywood on hand to cut 3 pieces at 12x12x12"
I used my redneck compass (string on a pencil) to cut my radius into each of the side boards
On top of the Jack, I drilled a hole to store that drill adapter or I knew I'd never find the darn thing
I have not wrangled a game with it yet but boy does that drill make the Jack move in a hurry! You'll want to have your 2 speed drill on low
My daughters boyfriend grabbed the new Jack while he was helping me and said as dry as you possibly can "Jack-in-the-box"
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Nice, built one of these myself a little over a year ago, a real backsaver.
One suggestion: that aluminum angle iron is REAL thick, I used some of this instead covered in felt to minimize chances of cabinet damage:
