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Arcade Collecting => Restorations & repair => Topic started by: RayB on May 26, 2007, 08:36:49 pm

Title: ROBOTRON cabaret / mini
Post by: RayB on May 26, 2007, 08:36:49 pm
Picked up a converted Robotron mini. It won't be easy restoring this thing... Only original things left is the bezel. Everything else is either missing or converted and painted over.

I will need:
- marquee
- control panel overlay
- remove paint from sides
- stencils (if sides don't turn out)
- game board
- power supply or a switcher convertor
- power circuit board
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: ArtMAME on May 27, 2007, 01:52:48 am
Here is a little inspiration to get you started:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63639.0

Have fun... :cheers:... I sure did...
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: RayB on May 27, 2007, 11:37:49 am
Thanks for the link. This is my first Williams cab. What is the purpose of the metal joystick plates?
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: SirPeale on May 27, 2007, 03:41:26 pm
Thanks for the link. This is my first Williams cab. What is the purpose of the metal joystick plates?

Mounting the joysticks, I believe.
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: RayB on May 27, 2007, 06:57:23 pm
ok, ZING. Got me...

Does it have bolts welded to the plates?
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: ArtMAME on May 28, 2007, 08:17:13 am
If I remember correctly, they are just countersink wood screws.

The plastic joystick dust washer actually goes under the mounting plates and moves freely in there.  You screw the plates back on and the new CP overlay will go over it.
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: RayB on May 28, 2007, 10:47:16 am
I guess what I'm wondering is, did Williams mount their joysticks so that the bolts went through the top of the CP, like most companies did, or was this plate so that there were no carriage bolt heads on the CP?

Like I said, Im not familiar with Williams cabs, so PEALE, what may seem obvious is not.
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: SirPeale on May 28, 2007, 11:13:54 am
Dude, WTF?  I gave you an answer, and you're getting pissy?
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: RayB on May 28, 2007, 02:09:57 pm
It sounded like sarcasm. You know, like "What's a monitor mounting bracket for?  A: For mounting the monitor."

What happened is the only reference I've seen is Prok's reproduction control panel, and in his small photo it looked like these metal plates are merely attached to the bottom of the wood. So I wondered what they are for, considering one could just mount to the wood without the plates.  But Artmame explained it fairly well. It's like trackball mounting plates, where it's flush with the TOP. And so now I realize Prok's photo was a top view!
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: RayB on May 28, 2007, 02:13:39 pm
Photos:
I have alot of work ahead.. It's kind of a turd right now.
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: SirPeale on May 28, 2007, 02:15:48 pm
Naw, man; that's hella sweet.  I'm envious.  At least you have a bezel.
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: CheffoJeffo on May 29, 2007, 09:27:18 am
Looks good, RayB!

Once again you take home a project that makes me regret not being at the auction.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: ArtMAME on May 29, 2007, 10:30:29 am
I guess what I'm wondering is, did Williams mount their joysticks so that the bolts went through the top of the CP, like most companies did, or was this plate so that there were no carriage bolt heads on the CP?

Like I said, Im not familiar with Williams cabs, so PEALE, what may seem obvious is not.


The mounting plates are just there to hold the dust washer inside.  The actual joystick mounting is done with bolts and T-nuts embedded into the wood.  Check out the pics:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63639.msg634847#msg634847

The 4 outer holes (small) hold the plate onto the wood with wood screws.  The 4 inner holes (larger) hold the T-nuts and the joystick bolts enter from the underside of the CP to meet the T-nuts on top. 
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: SirPeale on May 29, 2007, 11:24:05 am
The mounting plates are just there to hold the dust washer inside.  The actual joystick mounting is done with bolts and T-nuts embedded into the wood. 

Ah!  I did the same thing with the Super High Impact conversion I got.  Except I used plexi instead of a metal plate.
Title: Re: New Project: ROBOTRON Mini
Post by: DARRYLICSHON on May 31, 2007, 07:24:29 pm
good luck, i have been looking for a robotron cab to restore also.Darrylicshon