Reproduction Missile Command 2.25" Mini & 4.5" Maxi Trackball Units by RAM Controls

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Daviea

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Reproduction Missile Command 2.25" Mini & 4.5" Maxi Trackball Units by RAM Controls

I figured it was about time I show off the progress with the Missile Command 2.25" Mini Trackball units (for cabaret and cocktail games) and 4.5" MAXI Trackball units (for upright and cockpit games as well as all the Atari "sports" games: Football, 4-player Football, Basketball, Baseball and Soccer).

I've completed all of the aluminum parts (upper plates, lower plates, standoffs, bearing supports, etc) as well as the encoder shafts, balls, encoder wheels and retainer plate (plexiglass top plate). I made just enough of the radial encoders to ship 20 complete 4.5" trackball controllers, but I'm now waiting on the full production run before I ship anymore (few weeks).

- The aluminum top plates and bottom plates are made from 6061 T6 sheet aluminum, laser cut to perfection and line grained (gives it that cool brushed aluminum texture while cleaning up the laser slag).

- The 4.5" unit shafts are precision machined from stainless steel, precision ground and QC'd to hell and back.

- The 2.25" shafts are precision machined from steel, hardened, precision ground and QC'd to hell and back.

- The 4.5" unit encoder wheels are made from 90A polyurethane material. A little soft, but nearly impossible to break, unlike the OEM counterparts. If those fingers get caught on anything, the OEM ones snap off easily. The repro ones? Noway. Perfection!

- The 2.25" unit encoder wheels are precision etched stainless steel parts, nearly identical to the OEM counterparts. Originals worked great, no need to change this one.

- The balls (both 2.25" and 4.5") are both made by the OEM who made them for Atari, so these are original parts, no even reproductions, really. Perfection again!!

- The other aluminum parts are dead-on matches to OEM counterparts, all made from 6061 T6 aluminum bar stock, precision machined to spec.

- The acrylic (plexiglass) retainer plate is not pictured, but it's precision laser cut and then put through a secondary machining to get the countersinks and inside bevel. They look SO nice!

All in all, this will be a nice addition to the line-up of reproduction controllers offered by RAM Controls.

The following pics were taken tonight right before this post. I decided to show off some of my very latest work to keep you guys interested. Check out the pics.


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I was just thinking... the MC rebuild kits are my biggest seller. I've sold literally thousands of those kits!! I figured a post about the full MC trackball units would generate some interest more quickly than this. Maybe everyone already fixed their OEM TB's and don't care about new trackball units? LOL
 
Well.. once you replace the rollers, bearings and ball, the rest is just a chunk of aluminum ( plus encoders ).
The repro balls are awesome :) The encoders will be too... How does someone need a new complete TB, unless its just plain missing.

Don't get me wrong... this is good stuff... _really_ _good_ stuff... but I can see were the demand for the whole unit may be low.. The mame guys might be into it tho???

cheers
/Tim
 
Sure, I'll be updating my site with all the plates and other components shortly. I'm working out the pricing right now. I love this stuff!!
 
I'll definitely be interested in a few of the plexi plates for the big (Football) trackballs, as well as maxi trackball rebuild kits.
 
Some of us are waiting for for you to respond to PMs asking when you are going to ship the stuff we already ordered. It is very frustrating hearing about all of the shipments of new products you are shipping out while you are ignoring old orders. Is my Vectrex still sitting on your kitchen floor?

Lot of nerve complaining about not getting instant feedback after making so many of us wait for months or years to get our orders.
 
Beautiful man.

I have a feeling the 2.25" will sell a few units. Those were just about impossible to find.

I have your rollers, bearings, and ball in my MC upright, and it feels like perfection already. No need here for a new unit.
 
Major Props to David and Ram Controls for the great work they have done and continue to do in helping to restore so many classic games. I really believe that in the future, arcade collectors will look back on Ram Controls with great appriciation for the major contributions to the survival of the hobby.

Great Job man! Keep it up!
 
Great News! i just bought a missile command that was converted so hopefully i can buy the control panel and new track ball assembly at the same time.
 
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