My toddler loves our new AFM. All he needs is a diaper and an atomic blaster and he will save the world from those martians.

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I don’t think I posted this yet, but I decided to try changing the flasher dome covers from all red to a variety of colors. I saw replacement ships available complete with different colored domes, which gave me the idea, but decided to change them myself. They have some hot glue under each, but it’s not too hard to remove the glue with needle nose pliers. I popped new ones in, hot glued them and they are in biz for just a few bucks! I like the variety!

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So cool! PM sent…

This is true, they went radio silent for some time although you could still place orders and pay for things. I paid for a White Water plastic protector set and never received it, and couldn’t get a response. So don’t order unless they confirm they are up and running.

I’m so close to reaching it too. I had all the inserts lit except I needed to destroy a couple more ships. AFM has great rules. Simple, but not easy to complete by any means.

My custom AFM neon plastic protector from Pinsider, Maffewl arrived and was easily installed. Excellent design and fit, and it really adds some nice color and protection for all that plastic around the mother ship.

Thanks, Maffewl! Well done.

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I just placed an order for 6 small ships and one large. I’m going to install my 6 different colored flasher domes in them and I’ll post pics when it’s all done! I’m looking forward to the chrome ships. I have mirror blades and these should look fantastic with the mirrors!

Absolutely!

I’ll forward pics ASAP once they arrive and I have them installed. Should be this coming weekend.

Here they are!

The chrome ships look fantastic! I went with 6 different colors for the flasher domes, but the 6 green ones look awesome too. I might switch to that look before long. These are pretty easy to install and look very classy. Great looking upgrade!

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Correct, an AFMr classic edition.

Sure, if you want others I’ll PM some also.

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Heck with the machine, just sell us fancy toppers! They are much lighter and easier to move.

Buy an affordable soldering iron and a roll of soldering core and watch a couple YouTube vids on basic soldering. I was in the same situation, and was hesitant to solder my own pins. I practiced on some extra wire, just twisting two pieces together and then soldering them. After a few of those I felt pretty good about it. Soon I was soldering new optos and switches and other basic repairs. Later learned to reflow and other things. It’s fun once you learn it!

These are FANTASTIC!

Cool! That happens to me sometimes, simply reseating a connection can solve an issue. But once you practice soldering you’ll enjoy it. It’s satisfying to make a clean repair.

…or use six colors!

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I have a AFMr classic/standard. I would like to add color-changing lights to the speakers. Anybody recommend a speaker light kit for it? Lermods?

Like the sneaky lock in CV when the Ringmaster throws the ball onto the high wire ramp. Doesn’t happen often, but my kid loves the animation when it happens.

Added speaker light kit from Lermods today! That was the one mod I was really missing (until the amazing LE topper is available someday!) Turned out great and easy install. Next up green trough and shooter lane LEDs…

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Oh, no! That’s horrible. I’m so sorry that happened. Is there any chance you can locate the thief for authorities? I hope you only put a small deposit down. Anytime you aren’t 100% sure, Pinside offers to help with transactions. Most pinball people are awesome and deals turn out fine, but the few scam artists really suck. I hope you get your money back somehow, and an AFM someday.

I have a standard AFMr and I put the chrome saucers and mother ship on my game. I’m very happy with the result. I’m not sure if the LE is different, but the mother ship on my game was easy to exchange. With the smaller saucers I replaced the flasher covers on each, and used a hot glue gun to attach the new flasher domes.

Oh, I see. Yours are different. Your LE has light boards in the saucers, mine did not. Mine only had the flasher dome cover attached by a couple drops of hot glue. Here is the before and after changing my flasher domes and saucers to chrome…

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Decided to swap my red drop target with a clear one with decal and added a green led underneath it. Turned out pretty nice!

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Thanks! I had done this on my TNA and Fish Tales also, now that translucent drop targets are available. I add LEDs from Comet to light them up. I use the star post LEDs because they are bright, with 4 LEDs in each cluster, and very thin so easy to tape it beneath the drop target. No doubt people have other good methods.

Cool Eddy’s mod and the airball protector is so awesome. He did such a great job on that design.

$20 I believe plus $5 shipping. I bought the green one, which is thick and very well made. The shape and fit is great. I really like the chrome ships from Zitt too.

Maffewl is the Pinsider who offers them.

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If someone would love to have AFM power blades but the cost is too much, PM me. I have a used set I’m not using. I chose to go with mirrors on mine instead.

That’s why I replaced my glass with stainless steel. It’s nearly indestructible, but it’s much harder to see anything.

It’s great for The Shadow left ramp and Diner coffee cup too. Lots of great locations to speed up the game and replace a micro switch.

Found a Eddy’s building devastated by Martian damage. Looking forward to the install. Very cool mod!

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I made the mistake once of going by the writing on the chip, instead of the little dimple dot. I put an nvram in my LOTR upside down and fired her up. The DMD showed some weird shapes and the game didn’t boot right. I turned it off immediately. Maybe 2 seconds it was on. I smelled a melting plastic mixed with an electrical smell. I pulled the nvram out, which was hot. Flipper her over, and tried again. Worked fine, and has worked for 2-3 years since. But I learned my lesson!

Wow. That’s a stunning AFM. Your TZ would like a color DMD for his bday.

Do you have an extra LE topper I could, like, have?

LE owners + low ceilings maybe.

Sold!

Yep, that’s not uncommon at all. I put Cliffys on both sides of my shooter lanes and mine are generally different lengths.

The Comet star post LEDs are great too, and not just for star posts. Because they are thin, and have 4 LEDs in each of them, they work great under scoops or to light clear flipper buttons. Their fire and blue fire bulbs are fun too. I use them behind my translites that feature fire, candles, lightning, etc. Cool flicker effect. Get creative!

You can also PM Robert Stone or Steve at Pinball Refinery and ask them what color they recommend too. This one above from Prismatic looks good.

That red looks fantastic on AFM! Which shade of red is it? Is it Prismatic Powders? Steve has done 2 pins for me and my next powder project for him is Twilight Zone. Awesome results on AFM!

I got so lucky last summer (2021) when a friend who had a classic NOB AFMr found an LE for $9k. He grabbed that one, so he was willing to sell me his classic with the fancy translite that lights up different sections. He gave me a great deal on my classic, which had 81 plays on it. Then a local MMr hit the market for $8500 and I responded within minutes. I was still second on the list of about 10 cash buyers. The first buyer decided to withdraw due to finances, so I got my MMr the same week as AFM. A month later I was offered a MBr SE with LE features, straight up for my TNA. I hated losing TNA, but I had to complete the trio! AFM has by far been the most fun to mod and bling out, and it’s just so fun to play! That AFM nib is expensive, but unboxing a new AFMr is a rare experience these days!

Yep, at least you got one. Great game. I overlooked it for years too. I could have had an LE a few years ago at just over half what they go for now. I’m very happy w my classic, which has fun mods and I replaced my ships/saucers with the chrome ones. That turned out awesome. But I do wish I had one of the LE toppers.

Sooooo close today. Nearly ruled the universe. Anytime I want to beat my best game on any pin, I either list it, or wait until I’m running late for something. Invariably I have a monster game.

I destroyed Mars today, and had all inserts lit for final wizard mode except…super jackpot. Yep. I often complete that one during gameplay without thinking about it, usually during multiball. Not this time!

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Agree, his protector is perfect. Looks and works great.

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