(Topic ID: 70775)

The Firepower Club

By wiredoug

10 years ago


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  • 4,635 posts
  • 391 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 10 hours ago by slochar
  • Topic is favorited by 182 Pinsiders

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You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider rkahr.
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#403 8 years ago

Hey fellow Firepower owners,

Check this out - the outlane guides on my Firepower were pretty beat so created some new ones... I've 3D modeled the outlane guides and posted a compatible part that is orderable from Shapeways. I've had the "metallic plastic" version installed in my machine for two months now and they work great. I've had the 3D printed metal ones on order for over a month now, so hold off on ordering that version until I get them and try 'em out. Here is a pic:

photo 5.JPGphoto 5.JPG

Here is where to get them:

www.shapeways.com/shops/kahrparts

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams 3-7 sound board solutions

1 week later
#421 8 years ago
Quoted from tonedef131:

Should I just start replacing Roms or could it be something more sinister?

It could be something simpler - did you adjust the speech/sound mixer potentiometer? Perhaps it is twisted all the way over and thus silencing sounds. If that pot is bad I sell a pin-compatible replacement on my website.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams 3-7 sound board solutions

2 weeks later
#452 8 years ago

Had my Firepower at York the last two days - it got a bunch of plays and ran trouble-free throughout the show... once I got the correct leg on it. I had the 3D printed outlane guides installed - one metal and one plastic. Machine is back in my basement gameroom but not set up but I'm confident it survived the ride home in the trailer. Hope some Pinsiders got to play it!

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams 3-7 sound board solutions

1 month later
#492 8 years ago
Quoted from thefunkpunk:

Also, does anyone know if there should be some type of post / rubber that goes around the screw at the top of the left inlane/outlane diverter? Mine currently has a bare screw holding the metal to the playfield.

If you want the entire outlane guide as a single part you can have shapeways print one for you...

http://www.shapeways.com/product/Y99RAY4N6/firepower-left-outlane-guide?li=shop-results&optionId=57541870

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board solutions

2 months later
#546 8 years ago
Quoted from Slim2013:

Wire Help please.

Slim,

This help? I pulled the screw from the lamp to give a better angle at the wires connected to it.

IMG_1112_(resized).JPGIMG_1112_(resized).JPG

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board solutions

1 month later
#611 8 years ago
Quoted from La_Porta:

Hey guys, I'm finally in the market for a Firepower myself, and there is one locally on eBay for pickup. Wanted to throw it to the pros here as to what you think about the machine, the pics (some pretty bad wear spots on the play field that I can see), and your overall impressions. Also, I'd love some advice as to what to look for specifically on such machines when going to test them out. Thanks!

La_porta,

I remember seeing one recently for less than half the cost of that posting but I couldn't remember where. I did a quick search for Firepower in the "project" thread and came up with a pretty good listing of recent prices for non-pristine Firepowers (including my post for the one I remembered seeing):

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/post-project-pins-for-sale-here-cl-ebay-pinside-and-others?tq=firepower&tu

If you go see that one they should have a good bit of negotiating room.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions. Also offer high quality Firepower Outlane replacements.

1 month later
#640 7 years ago
Quoted from BriPin:

I used to have colored lights as well but recently I've gone plain Jane. I even added some more lights in the backbox!

BriPin - I just noticed the other two pins adjacent to your Firepower... I have those two in my lineup as well (BoP and CBW)

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions. Also offer high quality Firepower Outlane replacements.

#648 7 years ago
Quoted from La_Porta:

Might be purchasing a Firepower tomorrow...I wanted to know, for transport purposes, if someone can measure the height of the cabinet in the front and the back, not including the legs? I need to know if it will fit in my pickup bed...much appreciated!

they have dimensions on the "buying guide" in the "FP documents" section of the firepowerpinball.com website.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

#667 7 years ago
Quoted from La_Porta:

I have intermittent volume issues...I think it is due to intermittent issues with the volume control, which is some sort of variable resistor, I think. There may be something going on with yours as well.

You know I sell replacements, right? One style snaps on to the sound board; the second style requires crimping but can be installed using existing cable running behind the coin door. Either way you get a brand new potentiometer for your volume control.

I also make a replacement for the speech/sound mixer on the speech board, but that takes soldering to install.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

#670 7 years ago
Quoted from canoncitypb:

How are your pots different from the originals? Couldn't I just buy a matching pot and solder it in if the pot is the issue?

The ones I use are 35 years newer. They no longer manufacture ones that are pin-compatible with the Williams system 3-7 boards. Everything is on a significantly smaller scale these days so soldering direct to cables - while possible - will take some pretty delicate handiwork. These don't fly off the shelf like my WPC Daughterboards, but those who bought them have been happy.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

1 month later
#757 7 years ago

Check out the video in this threat - summarizes an extensive Firepower rebuild that turns out really nice...

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/firepower-restoration-adventure

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

3 months later
#946 7 years ago
Quoted from Joydivision:

Mata Hari is another game with a similar frustrating problem with the bonus inserts.

Know what you mean... I fixed it in my Mata Hara with a CPR playfield! Wow, those are nice.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

1 week later
#979 7 years ago
Quoted from setzkor:

Of course the later remake with the yellow Firepower is available if you feel like dropping $400 or so...

I thought they were more like $250 when I saw them a couple booths down from me at the York show.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

#982 7 years ago
Quoted from Bugsy:

I don't have a before picture of these plastics, but they were bacon, really warped and wavy and just not good. Popped them in the oven and they came out nice and flat.

What temp? How long? placed on wax paper, I assume. My long plastic on the left side (surrounding the ball lock) in particular is shaped like a mogul field on an expert ski slope...

Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

5 months later
#1239 7 years ago

I picked up a Firepower PF last year from a guy here on Pinside thinking it would clean up better than what I have. It was quite some time ago as I met the playfield at Pintastic last summer. It looks nicer than what is in my machine so I figured it would be a good upgrade candidate. Anyway, long story short I finally stopped storing it and started working on it today. Got the mylar off (at least the first layer) with freeze spray with just a little paint sticking to the mylar. Here are some pics of the mylar in front of a white background and of the playfield, with some close-ups and some shots of the matching spots on the playfield.

IMG_1620 (resized).JPGIMG_1620 (resized).JPG
IMG_1623 (resized).JPGIMG_1623 (resized).JPG
IMG_1622 (resized).JPGIMG_1622 (resized).JPG
IMG_1625 (resized).JPGIMG_1625 (resized).JPG
IMG_1621 (resized).JPGIMG_1621 (resized).JPG
IMG_1624 (resized).JPGIMG_1624 (resized).JPG

I suspect that area to the left of bonus 4, 5, and 6 had been touched up prior to the mylar install. Next up is getting the goo off, leveling inserts (if needed) and then ordering some Max2K to clear it. Hopefully now that I'm started I will keep moving forward. I hope it is worth the effort...

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

3 weeks later
#1290 6 years ago
Quoted from mof:

You be the judge...
-mof

That's a GREAT video! It perfectly captures the in-game frustrations that make the game so addictive. I think we all feel your pain - unbelievable how many times ball 3 drains with two balls locked...

It also is a great example of the gameplay change with the upper gate removed - the initial shot being more like a skill shot (demonstrated in your light plunges) and the loop-around when you reach the top with a strong shot on the right side.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions.

#1305 6 years ago
Quoted from dzorbas:

Good luck with this guys, basically unobtainium. There are a few out there but they are extremely hard to come by. I think CPR only made around 250 (that number sticks in my head but don't quote me). I looked high and low for one, all over North America. I was extremely lucky and found that a local pinball tech who lives 10 minutes away from me had one. And apparently mine was one of the last few completed by CPR. You can tell because the arrows that point at the 6 centre stand ups are clear arrows rather than orange. I read that CPR ran out of orange inserts and didn't just want to just leave the last few playfields unfinished so they use clear arrows instead. No problem for me, orange LEDs work just fine.
Travish just scored one a couple months ago off of Ebay I think. Price was around $1200 USD.
You may want to keep an eye on this thread and see if they decide to make a Firepower hardtop.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/hardtop-playfield-new-product-announcement-poll-included
As for new backglasses, they can still be had through Mayfair Amusements in NYC. Look back a few posts. Not cheap, but they are original Williams that were done in a second run a few years after the game was released. The colours are a bit different but it looks a million times better than my original.

FYI, I've been watching the Hard top thread as well. I have an extra original FP playfield in ok shape (think I posted pics of removing mylar earlier this month)... I contacted the Hard top folks offering them to use it for creating a firepower version of their product. They haven't said yes, but they haven't said no. I've delayed applying Max2K to it until they can decide one way or the other. REALLY hope it can happen!

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

1 week later
#1335 6 years ago
Quoted from Schwaggs:

I use the oven and ceramic pizza stone with parchment paper, then the plastic, another layer of parchment then a super flat cast iron dish I have. Works like a charm.

What temperature?

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

4 months later
#1572 6 years ago
Quoted from Bugsy:

Couldn't find any decent instruction cards so I drafted up my own.

Nicely done and thanks for sharing! Too bad my printer is a piece of crap...

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

2 months later
#1726 6 years ago
Quoted from RCA1:

CPR has a re-run of plastics now listed as available on their website.
Get 'em while they're hot!
http://www.classicplayfields.com/store-plastics.html

Thanks for posting, RCA1 ... I saw while catching up on threads tonight and put an order in for one set. If it shows up before Christmas my wife will wrap it for me to open!

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC Pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

1 week later
#1741 6 years ago
Quoted from rkahr:

Thanks for posting, rca1 ... I saw while catching up on threads tonight and put an order in for one set. If it shows up before Christmas my wife will wrap it for me to open!

Got my "it shipped" email today...

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC Pinball resets, the Pinball Pyramid, or my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

#1758 6 years ago
Quoted from rkahr:

Got my "it shipped" email today...
-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC Pinball resets, the Pinball Pyramid, or my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

The box arrived yesterday! Wife intercepted it and is wrapping it so I won't get into it until Christmas.

CPR BoxCPR Box

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC Pinball resets, the Pinball Pyramid, or my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

#1774 6 years ago
Quoted from Walamab:

Just ordered mine. Original is going in a frame on the wall.

When I got my game I applied triple-thick to the backglass - I think that's a pretty common practice to protect the paint. Curious if remakes such as these for Firepower should get the treatment or do the folks making them these days already apply a protective clear. Anyone know? If you are getting a new one, what are your plans?

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC Pinball resets, the Pinball Pyramid, or my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

1 week later
#1793 6 years ago

Over in the project pin thread they posted a link to a Firepower 2 for $400... here's a link to the posting (which has the CL link): https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/post-project-pins-for-sale-here-cl-ebay-pinside-and-others/page/145#post-4129634

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets, the Pinball Pyramid, or Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions.

1 month later
#1972 6 years ago
Quoted from Heaterguy:

Newbie here, just picked up a pretty decent fire power. I hope I am posting in the correct forum. As an HVAC technician I have no problems with electro mechanical things and was able to get the machine working just fine however the inserts are raising and cupped so My first order of business is to fix that so it doesn’t affect play. That being said I am not much of an artist so I’m a little nervous about messing with the playfield. Hopefully some of you can chime in and tell me some good do,s and don’ts. I’m definitely a DIY guy so not interested in paying to have it fixed proper even though I could afford to do so.
For the inserts:
My first thought was to fill them with nail polish or superglue but after Watching some videos on the site I have decided to remove the inserts and sand them down and reinstall. I successfully removed almost all the inserts (some of them I plan on leaving because they’re not that bad.) After sanding my first eight Big ones I can tell you I am not looking forward to sanding those little bitty ones. I almost think it would be better to buy a new set it’s a lot of work sanding them suckers flat and smooth!
I purchased some lock tight superglue after watching a video and that’s what the guy used. my question is would it be better to use some sort of Epoxy because that is what was in there originally? See picture of brand and type of super glue I purchased and intend on using, again I don’t want to do any damage so looking for the wealth of knowledge on the site to help me with the proper techniques.
I guess the answer to my next question depends on how far I want to go with this thing but as you can see in the picture there is some wear and although the machine is in good condition mechanically, The playfield has some serious issues that need addressed depending on how much I want to do to the machine.
My initial thought was to just get a sharpie and touch up the dark spots and maybe trying to hand paint some areas but again I’m not much of an artist. If I do that is it possible to just re-clear certain areas (seems like a bad idea) or how do I protect the restored paint? I am not against stripping the machine down and I’m fully confident that I could do so although I never have and I bought another machine to play while I work on this one. I have seen several videos of people doing touch up work and was less than impressed, as a person with OCD I’m pretty sure I wont be happy with something that looks crappy or hand painted. Even though I plan on keeping it forever and this is not something I’m trying to make money at . Any advice on how to touch up the paint would be much appreciated thanks

Heaterguy , check out Vid's guide on playfield restoration: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/vids-guide-to-ultimate-playfield-restoration ... Thread has a ton of valuable information, tips, tricks, and the like.

-Rob
-check out my Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...d?ref=3De36051
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

1 month later
#2018 5 years ago
Quoted from tatman9999:

Joined the club. Game is in ok shape. Not working. Coil was locked on and blew transistor. Order 4 coils . Order new side rails, lock down bar. Going to touch up and clear palayfield. Ordered all new switches, targets so far.

Looks nice in the pictures!

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board volume control solutions

4 weeks later
#2075 5 years ago
Quoted from orangegsx:

Very happy to end up with one of these, it is missing all the boards and backglass, but the seller might have some boards laying around *fingers crossed
If anyone has replaced their and has one with a bit of flaking I might be interested

Awesome - another one coming back to life!

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

3 weeks later
#2106 5 years ago
Quoted from La_Porta:

Anyone going to Pintastic in Mass this June?

I decided earlier this week to go. Posted about it here: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pintastic-2018-ticket-sales-are-open-le-premium-and-pro-packages/page/3#post-4404281

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my LED Skee display boards for Model H & Model S Skee Ball

#2112 5 years ago
Quoted from McSquid:

Quoted from La_Porta:
Anyone going to Pintastic in Mass this June?
I'll be there

Me too. I'll have a small KAHR.US Circuits vendor space somewhere near the free play. I will have all my products available (some in limited quantity) but I'll only be open for 4-5 hours on Friday and Saturday. I'm going to enjoy the show!

If you are thinking of traveling up, Southwest has pretty good fares to Hartford, CT which is relatively close to the show. I've been once before and it's a fun show.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

1 month later
#2165 5 years ago

Fellow Pinsider is asking for valuation in this thread:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/price-check-nice-firepower-

Thought there might be opinions here... also thought there might be folks near him in Florida that want to give him an offer.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or for my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

6 months later
#2634 5 years ago

Hi all,

I've been running my game without the upper left gate so that I have the "skill shot" we talked about a few pages ago in this thread. This past weekend I noticed a flaw in running the game this way. If you lock a ball and are launching a second ball, the spinner is lit so you get good points when it spins fast. Well, I launched the ball with my left thumb putting pressure on the plunger while my right hand pulled back and released - this delivers great speed to the ball and to the spinner. It also delivers the ball quickly to the drain.

Well, because the spinner points aren't awarded until the spinner stops, the game sees the ball in the drain with zero points scored and serves another ball. Then the spinner stops and the points are awarded. I did it 3 times in a row and cranked up points without an increment in ball count, so it is repeatable. I'd be interested to hear if others with the gate removed have the same experience. I guess I'm going to put the gate back in because I don't want the game to have a "cheat" available. Too bad because I like the added interest created by removing the gate.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

1 week later
#2660 5 years ago
Quoted from orangegsx:

Randomly my firepower will start a two player game when the start button is pressed once. Most of the time it is the first game played after powering up. And it lights up the #2 light on the bottom right of the backglass right before the first ball is kicked into the shooter lane, not as you hit the start button.. any ideas? Board were just gone through and NVram installed.

Pin-up brought up the same issue in the Alien Poker thread this week (https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/williams-alien-poker-club-i-win-you-lose/page/2#post-4759970 ) and I was one of several "me too's" over there. Never been a problem on my FP, but responses here are consistent with what was recommended over there. It doesn't happen often here so I haven't addressed it yet.

-Rob
-visit http://www.kahr.us to get my daughterboard that helps fix WPC pinball resets or my Williams system 3-7 sound board potentiometer solutions

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