Saginaw, MI
Well, I've been putting off posting this for long enough - guess it's time!
Inspired by my friend Wally who built his own MM.. here is (I believe) the first AFM built from parts. Wally helped me along the way with numerous questions, and I can't thank him enough! Also I have to thank the pinsiders, especially LTG, for answering my numerous questions.
This AFM started as an ebay'ed NBA fastbreak. Fastbreak is a perfect fit for an AFM conversion - almost better so than MM because a few more expensive parts are compatible. There were many parts I was able to salvage such as the cabinet, board set, much of the wiring was identical, Opto board and opto sensors, flipper hardware, sling hardware and pop bumper hardware, the list goes on. This machine was built without having a sample on hand. I had stumbled upon a few AFM teardown photo albums online which provided most of the information I needed.
There were a few parts of unobtanium in this project: Ball guides, 3-bank target bracket, lower arch ball guide, martian armatures and brackets, saucer cover, wire ramps, lamp boards. Lamp boards were an easy solution, the machine was wired to use Stern style lamp sockets and the boards were not neccessary. Ball guides were the biggest challenge - I was able to get a donor set converted into 2d and 3d cad drawings which were then cut from #8 mirror finish stainless steel sheet (water jet). Alien armatures, luckily I was able to find one and the rest were copied at an insanely high price from a local machine shop. I was able to create the saucer cover and martian brackets via 3d printing, without samples to work from. Wire ramps were crafted by a most talented wire bending artist (same guy Wally used for his MM project). For the apron I just re-used the NBA apron and it looks pretty slick - but it's definitely not original. For the three-target bank bracket I was able to modify a stern spider man bracket. Wooden side rails were also unavailable but these were easily made.
Many of the parts came from Marco specialties; they have an amazing selection. I wish they were willing to reproduce parts, they could be such an awesome resource. Many of the unique NOS parts came from PSPA - Mark is exceptionally good to work with. Thanks to Kerry Stair for providing many new parts which I bought all of. Also thanks to Cliffy for the awesome parts and service.
Some advice for those thinking of doing this sort of project..
Be warned that it's not going to save you a bunch of money, and it's going to be a ton of work. The wiring harness is the biggest time sink. Time-wise, I probably could have done this project in three months but there were unexpected delays. Also as people are building these machines, some of the NOS parts from vendors are selling out .. it's becoming more difficult.
I would entertain trades if anyone is looking for a beautiful AFM. I wont be ready for a few months (couple finishing touches) but I would consider trades of equal value. PM me if interested.
List of features:
* Refurbished, beautifully clearcoated playfield
* GLM flashing post lights wired into the saucer solenoid
* New PBL coin door
* New stainless steel side rails, lockdown bar. Lockdown receiver from Mantis Amusements.
* New black PBL legs, black bolts, nylon bolt/leg protectors, felt protectors, cab protectors, and pingulp
* Completely refinished cabinet
* Mirror blades
* NOS 3-bank motor, new bank plastics and pinbits slider kit
* Clear city scape backboard from PDI with flashing LED strip, tied into saucer solenoid.
* All new plastics and plastic protectors
* New oak side rails painted black lacquer
* NEW and one-of-a-kind mirror plated ball guides - cut from the same finish material as mirror blades
* New (not nos) saucer board
* Pinbits blackout kit (not installed yet in pics), Red DMD kit,
* New martians (not the springy old ones 
)
* New Red Ramps (decals have been left off but I have them)
* All NOS martian brackets, saucer assembly
* 3D printed Saucer cover and martian brackets
* New flipper coils and rebuild kit
* All new lamp sockets throughout playfield and backbox
* Cointaker and PBL LEDs (mixed by my preference)
* New glass 
* New SOL weldment
* New saucer trough
* NOS left eject
* Mantis protectors (Sol and Mothership), mantis saucer bracket
* New ROMs
* Chrome plated NOS VUK, by Mike Chestnut
* Refurbished board including remote battery by Clive @ Coin-Op Cauldron
* Under cabinet led lighting kit
I will post some hilight pictures below - the entire album is here:
http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/gorgar007/library/AFM%20Project/New%20AFM%20Completed
Closeups of the mirror finish guides: http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/gorgar007/library/AFM%20Project/AFM%20Mirror%20Guides
Cabinet refinish: http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/gorgar007/library/AFM%20Project/AFM%20Cabinet%20Refinish
Wiring: http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/gorgar007/library/AFM%20Project/AFM%20Wiring
Custom coil cover: http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/gorgar007/library/AFM%20Project/AFM%20Coil%20Cover
Gameplay video:
(1080p looks best)
Melbourne, ON
