Robotron Restoration

[Spyridon]

How cold is too cold?  Down near Philadelphia, we should still hit temps in the low 60s next week.  I need to get some paining done in that week!

Most paints state to not use below 50 degrees

[JustMichael]

How cold is too cold?  Down near Philadelphia, we should still hit temps in the low 60s next week.  I need to get some paining done in that week!

Depends upon the paint.  Please check the side of the can.  Also understand with the cold, the paint will take a LOT LONGER than normal to dry.

[RetroACTIVE]

I'm getting ready to do my Berzerk... I have a ton of body work to do first... It will be my second stencil.   Did you do just one hit with the stencil colors?

I did one coat of blue, but when I got to the red, I did several light coats over a couple hour period.  I tried to give it some time to dry between coats so it didn't run.  It took a while to cover the blue.  Next time, I may hit it with a coat of white first then the red.

Are you going to add the texture to the Berzerk sides?

No sirreeee.  I hate that finish I don't care if its not original, I would take a nice clean satin black over that textured booger any day!

[Kman-Sweden]

 
Fantastic.

[Spyridon]

Got a lot accomplished on this.  Pics and update coming soon. 

[Kman-Sweden]

can't wait. 

[Spyridon]

Took some better pictures outside as I was moving the game to the basement arcade for reassembly. 

[Spyridon]

"Registered" and "TM" symbols added

[Spyridon]

The control panel had some major dings in it, so it required some bondo to get it nice and smooth


The rusty t-nuts were replaced with new ones


The metal plates were caked with adhesive and rusty. 

These were stripped down to bare metal and painted with black Rustoleum paint

[Spyridon]

Time for the new overlay


Problem!  If I line up the overlay to match on the P1, P2, and joystick holes, the left edge is short


I'll need to hit the edges with some black paint so it won't be noticeable.  At the same time, I'll paint a few of the remaining metal parts like the coin doors and marquee bracket



The carriage bolts that hold the control panel on were really rusty.  I put them in my drill and spun them on sandpaper.  Makes them look like new in under a minute

[Spyridon]

Once the panel was dry, I applied the new overlay as well as the control panel molding


The edge that was showing now blends in nicely and once on the game I don't think anyone will notice


New translucent blue buttons


Bulbs for the buttons were burned out.  Replaced with new ones

[opt2not]

This is looking great Spyridon!

Great work-around with that CPO problem, and as always, great documentation. 

[Spyridon]

Joystick actuators (or whatever they are called) were really filthy

so I cleaned them up with soap and water.  Not perfect, but much better


Joystick bases and wire harness in place


Two of the leaf switch tabs were broken and needed to be soldered back in place

[Spyridon]

And the completed panel

[Spyridon]

I want to bullet proof this game since it won't be local where I can work on it.  I replaced the original harness with a brand new one.  I also have new interconnect cables that I still have to install.  Here is the wire harness.  I'll neaten it up with some wire ties.

[Spyridon]

Coin door inserts were cleaned up.  Here is a shot of one clean and one still dirty.  The difference doesn't show too well in the photos, but they cleaned up well.


Marquee light, new monitor and coin doors installed



New marquee and inner bezel installed

[Spyridon]

Drum roll please....





  

[Spyridon]

And a custom attract screen message as requested by the soon to be owner:

[Spyridon]

Items left to do:

1. Cut hole in upper back door for new lock (all three locks are keyed alike)
2. Install new interconnect cables
3. Add wire ties to new harness

That's it! 

[yotsuya]

Just.... beautiful.

This has become one of my favorite games due to MAME, and to see this restoration, it makes me wish I could have played one in its heyday.

[MythTrip]

Looks awesome, Joe.  Thanks again.   


Hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving!   Also, great to see that your
taking on another Gorf project.



Jim

[Kman-Sweden]

You made it look so easy..   

[BurgerKingDiamond]

WOW. Like a beautiful naked woman. I'm drooling right now. You are a craftsman.

It almost makes me want to play some Robotron. But then I remember how much I suck at it.

[Rick]

Is there somewhere I can just subscribe to all of Spyridon's threads?  It's like reliving my childhood, when all the games you walked past were new and shiny.

 

[yotsuya]

Is there somewhere I can just subscribe to all of Spyridon's threads?  It's like reliving my childhood, when all the games you walked past were new and shiny.

 

Amen. We should pitch in to buy him a webcam so we can watch live feeds!

[emphatic]

Wonderful work! 

[Spyridon]

Well, went to play a game the other day and no sound.  Fuses are still good, but the +12v seems low.

Voltages at the test points are:
+5v = 4.98
+12v = 8.71
-12v = -13.76

Will reflow the header pins first to see if that does anything.  I've been told that sometimes the amp goes bad after the board is recapped. 

[opt2not]

She's a beauty! Nice job as always!

I hope the reflow fixes your sound problem.

I'd hate to state the obvious, but did you check the volume pot? Perhaps it got accidentally turned...or became faulty. Just throwing it out there...

[Spyridon]

I'd hate to state the obvious, but did you check the volume pot? Perhaps it got accidentally turned...or became faulty. Just throwing it out there...

Nothing wrong with stating the obvious, but yes, I did check that.

[Spyridon]

I hope the reflow fixes your sound problem.

Reflowing the header pins didn't help.  I swapped out the 40 pin 6802 CPU chip on the board with the one on my Sinistar and now I have working sound  

Now I just need to order a replacement chip to put in my cannibalized Sinstar sound board.

[Spyridon]

Joysticks were a bit loose and sloppy so I picked up a set of NOS Wico grommets.  I'll replace the ones in there now and that should tighten things up

[WhereEaglesDare]

What did you use to mark off the "W" when painting red?  is it some sort of adhesive part of the stensil, i notic it isnt connected to anything

[opt2not]

What did you use to mark off the "W" when painting red?  is it some sort of adhesive part of the stensil, i notic it isnt connected to anything

The stencils are printed on an adhesively backed vinyl. Here's a link to gamestencil's "stencil guide".

[WhereEaglesDare]

yea, I had already read that, its just a little strange.  Never dealt with stencils like that before.

[Spyridon]

Finally found some time to install the new grommets.  Here is a comparison between the new and the old:


You can see how the old one was dirty and the rubber was cracked.  Inside the joystick was full of rubber shavings.  Did it make a difference? 

Boy did it ever.  On my very first game with the new grommets, I set my high score (I won't tell you what it was because it's not too good)!  The game was in slow motion compared to before.  If you have a Robotron, I highly recommend you replace the grommets.  You won't believe the difference.

 

[opt2not]

Woah, your old grommets looked pretty bad. The ones I replaced on mine didn't look as worn down, though my cabinet may have had less plays on it.
I replaced them with new ones anyways, and I agree, the joys feel amazing afterward.

Are you going to hang onto this cabinet for much longer? Get your plays in while you can!

[Spyridon]

Are you going to hang onto this cabinet for much longer? Get your plays in while you can!

It's mine until the weather breaks.  Will be shipping out in March.

[Level42]

 

TIGHT !!!! LOVE IT !!!!!!




Now....how did that Dutch lightbulb end up in that machine

[Spyridon]

Now....how did that Dutch lightbulb end up in that machine

Don't worry, I got it out quick and replaced it with one that worked.   

[Level42]

Harumpffff, god only knows how long it lasted You now got an el-cheapo Chinese surrogate in there




I just installed a fresh new Philips bulb in my Ms.Pac marquee and a Philips starter and miraculously, these are actually still "Made in Holland" !!!!!!!

Felt good.... The marquee looks BRILLIANT now

Man I love that Robotron. I could sit half a day and just watch it. If I were there.