The World's Newest Robotron mini

Scott C

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It is time I finally unveil the World's Newest New Robotron Mini. It has actually been done for a while, but I felt like I wanted to tweak a few more things before posting pics. :) This is newly built from the ground-up.

The Story
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As some of you may recall, I am the person whom tried to have numerous mini and cabarets cabinets reproduction (reproed) many years ago (http://home.swbell.net/lcaldwel/mirror/gamecabs.htm). After the project didn't take-off I purchased the remaining prototypes, including this Williams mini. At the time I was not a fan of Robotron, but decided that would be a suitable use for the cabinet, so this project was born.

Why Does It Have Extra Buttons?
-------------------------------------
After the project began I decided to make this a Multi-Williams using Clay's Cowgill's kit. Since I already had a Stargate, only two additional buttons were needed for the other games, Bubbles, Splat, and Joust (I wasn't worried about Defender). To date I have not installed the kit, so the game only plays Robotron. :) The extra two buttons are backlit like other others buttons originally were.

What Parts Did I Use?
------------------------
If original Williams or Robotron mini parts were available, then I tried to use them. However, many of these parts are getting very hard to find. In a few cases I was able to match what Williams originally used, such as bolts, while other times I just had to settle, such as the back door hinge.

- Cabinet - 100% reproed cabinet, using a Stargate mini as the template
- Marquee Bars - Donated from a converted Stargate mini
- Marquee - Original (would prefer one in better condition!)
- Bezel Bars - Donated from a converted Stargate mini
- Bezel - NOS original
- Bezel Instructions - Repro
- CPO - Repro
- CP - Repro
- CP/Bezel Metal Bar - Repro I did years back :)
- Monitor Surround - Original
- Joysticks - NOS WICOs
- Joystick Mounting Plates - Repros
- Wiring Harness - From a Joust
- CP Wiring - From a Joust & modified to work for Robotron, including the
the CP extra lights and buttons
- Coin Doors - From a converted Robotron or Joust (forget which now)
- Monitor - Couldn't find a clean WG48xx to match what originally came with
the game, so I opted for a NIB WG 72xx
- Side-Art - Reproed vinyl on top of colored matched gray paint
- T-Molding - Repro
- Power Supply - Original Williams, rebuilt
- Game Boards - Original Joust, replaced RAM w/4164

Left To Do?
------------
There are a few cosmetic items I would still like to touch-up, but the only functional item left is to install the bezel instructions light onto the back door. Williams used the same light fixture for the marquee, but these are darn hard to find (anyone have one???). Other than the instructions not being lit, it doesn't impact game play at all.

Clearly, this game would have never come together if it were not for the many efforts of fellow connectors to make repro parts or the many folks that contributed pictures of their Robotron minis for my reference. Thanks to everyone!!!

So without further ado, the Newest New Robotron mini pictures are below (and in the next several posts!). :)

Scott C.
 

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More pictures of the World's Newest Robotron mini...

Scott C.
 

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Even more pictures of the World's Newest Robotron mini...

Scott C.
 

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Sweet! Nice looking mini you got there. I'd love to have a Robotron mini some day.Would you do it all again?
Thanks!

The only thing I would do different is hold-out for the side-art stencils which were released within a year of me getting the vinyl side-art. Having a dedicated Robotron mini wiring harness would have made things easier, but at the same time I did learn a lot about Williams wiring because of having to make it work from Joust to Robotron, then the multi-Williams (Clay's kit as previously mentioned). It also taught me about getting rid of the 4116 RAM and having the original PS can run better with 4164 RAM. :) Not a totally purist attitude, but neither is putting a switcher in a game that didn't come with it either. :)

Robotron is really growing on me and I am actually getting better. I'll never be good or great, but playing the game and enjoying it is what is important. :)

Scott C.
 
Very nice. Did you use a cnc to cut it or do it by hand?

The only thing I don't like is the extra buttons. Too nice a cab to make it into a Multi. Other than that, it sure is pretty!

I was never a big fan of the minis, but if I had to get one it would be this one.
 
Very nice. Did you use a cnc to cut it or do it by hand?

The only thing I don't like is the extra buttons. Too nice a cab to make it into a Multi. Other than that, it sure is pretty!

I was never a big fan of the minis, but if I had to get one it would be this one.

The repro CP another collector did is CNC, but the rest of the cabinet is actually plywood like the originals were. As for how the cabinet maker made them, you got me but it's a great match to my original Stargate. The sides also have a thin layer of very smooth wood which made it easier to get very smooth sides for the paint and vinyl.

I have been posting pics of my minis for a while, but across lots of threads. :) Todd Tuckey and I are still talking about putting-up a page with pics of all minis and cabarets known to exist, like my posters page below, but I simply haven't made the time. I did post the latest list some months ago, but do need to update and post it again since there has been an addition.

http://www.rockartcreations.com/scott/posters.htm

As for the extra buttons, again the CP and CPO are repro so I didn't feel bad about adding the extra buttons. Internally, this is based on Clay's kit so everything is original except for the addition of his kit, two extra wires, and a wiring adapter to/from the control harness into Clay's kit. Except for the buttons, switching it back to a dedicated Robotron would take about five minutes.

Scott C.
 
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Very nice!!!

Love me some Robotron . . . it gets more play than any of my dedicated machines via a JROK board in my Double Dragon. :) Is strange that I don't have a dedicated Robotron. . .
 
Very nice!!!

Love me some Robotron . . . it gets more play than any of my dedicated machines via a JROK board in my Double Dragon. :) Is strange that I don't have a dedicated Robotron. . .

Yeh, that is strange. Quick, somebody get this man a Robotron (grumbling... playing Williams games in a Double Dragon cabinet... grumbling... what is this world coming to.... grumbling)! :)

Scott C.
 
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Yeh, that is strange. Quick, somebody get this man a Robotron (grumbling... playing Williams games in a Double Dragon cabinet... grumbling... what is this world coming to.... grumbling)! :)

Scott C.

Reading this thread again. I have a dedicated upright Robotron now, so the world is a better place. :)
 
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