6 replies to this topic

[vos]

As the topic suggests...Are they really necessary?

 

I am assembling in my game room in the basement as I put it together, because it wont fit width wise anyways down my stairs, due to custom width.  I'll have an access panel in the back of the backbox to access everything and I plan to bolt the backbox to the playfield shelf.  If i need to move it Ill just unplug the electronics in the backbox and completely remove.  The hinges seem pointless to me, but am wondering if I am missing something when I think about just omitting them all together.  

 

Let me know what you think.  Thanks

[Tesla]

I think the idea came about because the commercial arcade pinball machines have them. Keeps it "all together" and I suppose easier to move in a truck without getting broken or mis-wired on next setup.

 

My 3-screen cabinet just has the back-box 4-bolts thru the inside bottom and bolted-on. I can't say I've ever un-bolted it (even for moving) or wished it could hinge-down.

Edited by Tesla, 12 April 2026 - 07:50 PM.

[vos]

Thanks for that reply.  Was thinking the same thing.  I guess I was just wanting to hear it from some who didn't use them.

[BoltBait]

I, personally, didn't uses hinges on any of the 3 cabinets I've built.

 

Here, you can see that I simply bolt the backbox to the main cabinet using eye bolts and huge washers (to spread out the stress):

 

 

Details:  boltbait.com/pinball/assemble5.php

 

On my second build, I did it the same way:

 

 

I use eye bolts because it is easier to hold onto the eye end of the bolt with your hand while you tighten down the nut with a wrench.

 

And, on the third build, I did it the same way using eye bolts again:

 

 

My original cab lasted 7 years until I upgraded it to the second build.  Never had a problem and I knock the machine around while playing.

 

I've taken the back box off to move the cabinet from an apartment to a house... easy peasy!

 

Hope this helps!

[gtxjoe]

I used 3 screws to secure the backbox to the cabinet

[Itchigo]

I have an old Sharpshooter cabinet with the factory 4 bolts. I haven't had to move it so it hasn't become an issue. 4 bolts and unplug the connectors, just like a real machine (before the mid 80's). I would have to secure the pf via a wing nut underneath because my pf is a flip up style like a real machine.

 

[Breadbox64]

There is no need for hinges, they are for easier transportation from one location to another when in commercial use. The hinges alone wont hold that much, thats why you always need to use bolts. The older machines didn't had hinges so you needed to remove the whole backbox and unplug all the wires from the connectors. Some lazy people didn't do that because of less work to them what can cause serious damage to the machine. So some smart head got the idea for the hinges to make transportation more easy and more secure, thats all. 

Edited by Breadbox64, Yesterday, 03:19 PM.