Blue Robotron 2084 From a Stargate (Production sample? - Initial run? Version)

Sleepdroid

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Ever since I saw those images posted a few years ago showing the blue Robotron up in Alaska I just had to have one. I don't think it was every really decided about it's origin. Was it a production sample? Was it just a very early release version? Don't know. I just know it looked awesome. Unfortunately, I lost pretty much every picture that I took along the way so I only have the before and after shots.

I started with a Stargate that was converted into some sort of awful casino game. The cabinet is basically the same as the Type I Robotron cab. I needed to make the cutaway on each side next to the monitor. I got a cabinet detail file that someone posted for making a CNC repro. I printed it out and made a template with 1/4" MDF that I could shape just right, clamp to the sides, and run my router along. I also had to slightly change the angle of the speaker grill so that it was more horizontal. The last thing was making a the cutouts in the cabinet (below the glass bezel) for the joystick clearence. The cab has to be notched so that the control panel can fully close after you add the joysticks in. That was, of course, after filling a lot of button holes with Bondo. Yes, your eyes do not decieve you. I went full MacGyver and made two control panel plates out of metal two-gang covers. Drilled them out at 1 1/8" for the joystick. They worked perfectly since I had to router out the hole for them from scratch anyway. I used 4" Wico leaf spring joysticks from ArcadeShop.

I used Behr paint from Home Depot for the blue sides. It's an oil based paint that I had them color match the blue from the control panel overlay that I brought in. It was put on with a sprayer, not a roller. Rust-Oleum spray paint for the red and yellow. Sun Yellow and Apple Red seemed to be a pretty good match.

I was waffling pretty hard on going through with the blue cabinet but I'm really glad I did. I am completely in love with it and can't stop staring. It's become my absolute favorite cabinet.

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Here are some more pictures including the starting Stargate cabinet, the home made plates, and the paint used.
 

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I used to think that metallic silvery Robotron sides made it the best looking cab in existence, but I actually like this one better. It seems more cohesive with all the other components (marquee, bezel, and control panel). Now I want to build another one myself!
 
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