Persistance pays (slightly)

[Pioneer4x4]

On my way to work, there are a couple thrift shops (Salvation Army, Goodwill,...) I try to stop in at least one every week, I have found a couple of neat things in the Salvation Army, but never anything video game related. I just noticed they have a 4 switch woody system, no games, for $20. I passed on it. Then I went the other way today to make an appointment for my car, and stopping in another Goodwill. They typically have nothing of interest, but something in the boardgame area caught my eye. It was a Nintento R.O.B. sitting on a NES system box. The box had the ROB circled with a pen and said that was all that was in the box. I got the box, R.O.B., and at least 1 spinner top, and I think the brackets for it. I already have 1 of them, plusthe game Stack 'em, and all the parts, but one of my spinners is iffy. ( actually got that by calling nintendo parts and they mailed them all to me for like $9 back in the 1990s!, I think I got the last one!) Still nothing cool atari wise to pick up, maybe next week will be the week.

[HollowPoint123]

Nice find. The last(only) time I saw one of those was back in 87 (or 88) when the IT dept head at the Arab Bank in London where worked had bought one for his kids and left in the dept overnight. Being on night shift gave me the chance to unpack it and have a good nosey. I would love to see a ROB working.

[Pioneer4x4]

Nice find. The last(only) time I saw one of those was back in 87 (or 88) when the IT dept head at the Arab Bank in London where worked had bought one for his kids and left in the dept overnight. Being on night shift gave me the chance to unpack it and have a good nosey. I would love to see a ROB working.

They are a pretty neat idea in my opinion. It received data optically from the tv (by voodoo magic I think), and feeds back via the second controller, plus the mechanical timer aspect of spinning up the tops and acting before they slow down and fall off (only in gyromite). Stack 'em or Stack up, is kinda lame, and the robot only adds frustration.

[OldAtarian]

Stuff that old hardly ever turns up anymore. Goodwill has a bad habit of taking any old electronics donations and selling them to a recycler without even giving the public a chance to buy them, so it's very hit or miss whether you'll find anything old and electronic there. Salvation Army is a bit better, I've found a few things there, but for the most part hardly anyone donates this sort of thing anymore because very few people don't know that you can good money for them on ebay so why donate?

[CRTGAMER]

On my way to work, there are a couple thrift shops (Salvation Army, Goodwill,...) I try to stop in at least one every week, I have found a couple of neat things in the Salvation Army, but never anything video game related. I just noticed they have a 4 switch woody system, no games, for $20. I passed on it. Then I went the other way today to make an appointment for my car, and stopping in another Goodwill. They typically have nothing of interest, but something in the boardgame area caught my eye. It was a Nintento R.O.B. sitting on a NES system box. The box had the ROB circled with a pen and said that was all that was in the box. I got the box, R.O.B., and at least 1 spinner top, and I think the brackets for it. I already have 1 of them, plusthe game Stack 'em, and all the parts, but one of my spinners is iffy. ( actually got that by calling nintendo parts and they mailed them all to me for like $9 back in the 1990s!, I think I got the last one!) Still nothing cool atari wise to pick up, maybe next week will be the week.

Great find! Here is my R.O.B. tale.

 

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=275280#p275280

 

Picked up NES R.O.B. in original somewhat worn Deluxe box with torn styrofoam inside for 25 bucks. Robot cosmetically in new condition, however I can see corrosion seeping out from battery compartment at the base. probably been sitting in box for a while. I think its fixable if just battery acid on the contacts.

 

Here's what was all in the box:

R.O.B. the most important!

Two platform attachments including controller holder and 4 Gyromite pads

One red Gyromite

One Gyromite motor in Brand new condition

Both claws are there! Spotted one on the ground, whew!

 

I'm gonna go back and catch the unpacking guy later to see if any pieces fell out. For the other Gyromite, cart and manual.

This reminds me when I got my Vectrex, and all the carts, game transparencies color discs but no glasses or lightpen.

 

Looks like a regular CRT to actually make R.O.B.'s eyes to see!

 

I think the Stack Up game kit is separate, an even harder find.

 

To be displayed next to my Armatron.

The irony, missing these stack discs too.

 

Okay went back a third time and picked up the Zapper for 5 bucks. Thrift store worker said he would keep an eye out for the other "kids top" Gyromite. Told me only NES Robot he seen for a few years and it just came off truck. They were still unloading the truck when I bought Rob earlier today. Battery door on poor Rob is really stuck, can see the dreaded white powder from batteries thru finger hole. Sprayed WD40 with Rob right sideup, excess oil dripped out. Resting on a shop towel, will try to pry out later. Amazing thing is all the plastic is shiny store new with no scratches whatsoever. Even the one Gyromite included only has a couple small marks on the red anodized metal. Almost looks like the original owner tried Rob once, put it away and just played Duck Hunt. Unfortunate that the batteries were not removed. My Columbo guess-estimate since NES, game carts and Zapper were missing.

 

Okay, overnight soaking of rotted batteries WD40 worked! Man I love that stuff, great for lubricating hinges, locks, oiling up Engine compartment of '62 ....... Anyways, moved AA batteries around with screwdriver in finger hole and then "please don't break" forcibly slid the battery door using slot screwdriver as a finger. All the white powder looked like wet salt buildup like an ocean buoy. Batteries coated like a 20 year old Auto Diehard. Wiped off easily since it was wet with that WD40. Surprisingly, the battery contacts and in fact the entire compartment looked new. Contacts still have chrome shiny coating. Robbed AA batteries from two remotes and Rob did the test dance just fine. Circled left then back to middle, arms opened and went all the way up. Popped a D battery in the Gyro motor, thought a fail till I dropped the gyroscope in, spun up very fast. I can see why these get lost, a cool kids toy.

 

Very happy everything working beautiful in this obvious seldom used Rob. No scratches anywhere at all! The scratch on the gyro turns out to be an air bubble, clear packing saran wrap sticker still stuck to the red anodize paint! Just need another gyro, NES (maybe good non-toaster version) and the two game carts Gyromite and Duck Hunt. Maybe one day get lucky and come across the Stack Up Game set.

 

I have since completed this collection with a toaster NES. A brand new looking fully functionable robot. Question is to Mod Rob for direct control?

[OldAtarian]

On my way to work, there are a couple thrift shops (Salvation Army, Goodwill,...) I try to stop in at least one every week, I have found a couple of neat things in the Salvation Army, but never anything video game related. I just noticed they have a 4 switch woody system, no games, for $20. I passed on it. Then I went the other way today to make an appointment for my car, and stopping in another Goodwill. They typically have nothing of interest, but something in the boardgame area caught my eye. It was a Nintento R.O.B. sitting on a NES system box. The box had the ROB circled with a pen and said that was all that was in the box. I got the box, R.O.B., and at least 1 spinner top, and I think the brackets for it. I already have 1 of them, plusthe game Stack 'em, and all the parts, but one of my spinners is iffy. ( actually got that by calling nintendo parts and they mailed them all to me for like $9 back in the 1990s!, I think I got the last one!) Still nothing cool atari wise to pick up, maybe next week will be the week.

Great find! Here is my R.O.B. tale.

 

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=275280#p275280

 

Picked up NES R.O.B. in original somewhat worn Deluxe box with torn styrofoam inside for 25 bucks. Robot cosmetically in new condition, however I can see corrosion seeping out from battery compartment at the base. probably been sitting in box for a while. I think its fixable if just battery acid on the contacts.

 

Here's what was all in the box:

R.O.B. the most important!

Two platform attachments including controller holder and 4 Gyromite pads

One red Gyromite

One Gyromite motor in Brand new condition

Both claws are there! Spotted one on the ground, whew!

 

I'm gonna go back and catch the unpacking guy later to see if any pieces fell out. For the other Gyromite, cart and manual.

This reminds me when I got my Vectrex, and all the carts, game transparencies color discs but no glasses or lightpen.

 

Looks like a regular CRT to actually make R.O.B.'s eyes to see!

 

I think the Stack Up game kit is separate, an even harder find.

 

To be displayed next to my Armatron.

The irony, missing these stack discs too.

 

Okay went back a third time and picked up the Zapper for 5 bucks. Thrift store worker said he would keep an eye out for the other "kids top" Gyromite. Told me only NES Robot he seen for a few years and it just came off truck. They were still unloading the truck when I bought Rob earlier today. Battery door on poor Rob is really stuck, can see the dreaded white powder from batteries thru finger hole. Sprayed WD40 with Rob right sideup, excess oil dripped out. Resting on a shop towel, will try to pry out later. Amazing thing is all the plastic is shiny store new with no scratches whatsoever. Even the one Gyromite included only has a couple small marks on the red anodized metal. Almost looks like the original owner tried Rob once, put it away and just played Duck Hunt. Unfortunate that the batteries were not removed. My Columbo guess-estimate since NES, game carts and Zapper were missing.

 

Okay, overnight soaking of rotted batteries WD40 worked! Man I love that stuff, great for lubricating hinges, locks, oiling up Engine compartment of '62 ....... Anyways, moved AA batteries around with screwdriver in finger hole and then "please don't break" forcibly slid the battery door using slot screwdriver as a finger. All the white powder looked like wet salt buildup like an ocean buoy. Batteries coated like a 20 year old Auto Diehard. Wiped off easily since it was wet with that WD40. Surprisingly, the battery contacts and in fact the entire compartment looked new. Contacts still have chrome shiny coating. Robbed AA batteries from two remotes and Rob did the test dance just fine. Circled left then back to middle, arms opened and went all the way up. Popped a D battery in the Gyro motor, thought a fail till I dropped the gyroscope in, spun up very fast. I can see why these get lost, a cool kids toy.

 

Very happy everything working beautiful in this obvious seldom used Rob. No scratches anywhere at all! The scratch on the gyro turns out to be an air bubble, clear packing saran wrap sticker still stuck to the red anodize paint! Just need another gyro, NES (maybe good non-toaster version) and the two game carts Gyromite and Duck Hunt. Maybe one day get lucky and come across the Stack Up Game set.

 

I have since completed this collection with a toaster NES. A brand new looking fully functionable robot. Question is to Mod Rob for direct control?

 

 

You found an Armatron? I remember reading an article in Antic or Analog a long time ago about building an interface to control an Armatron from an 800.

[Pioneer4x4]

I still have MY armitron from when I was a teenager! My kids actually played with it recently. I believe I have everything for it (except packaging). I think I still have the instructions, and the black/clear box, and there are 2 cones and 2 balls that stack in and on it. Having a PC control it is kind of useless with out feedback or position sensors. And it is so noisy with the motors constantly running. It is very mechanically complicated, and mine has held up so far.

[CRTGAMER]

The Armitron is pure genius in design. Took it apart once for lubrication preventative maintenance. One motor pushing various ring gears depending on which lever is pushed or rotated. The noise is the gears spinning adds novelty to that robot arm. I may mod the Rob with a NES controller for direct control. Trick is to keep it looking original and Gyromite functional too. One inconspicuous small hole for the controller cable at the base.

[Pioneer4x4]

The Armitron is pure genius in design. Took it apart once for lubrication preventative maintenance. One motor pushing various ring gears depending on which lever is pushed or rotated. The noise is the gears spinning adds novelty to that robot arm. I may mod the Rob with a NES controller for direct control. Trick is to keep it looking original and Gyromite functional too. One inconspicuous small hole for the controller cable at the base.

BTW, what is your avatar? looks like a SBC with a predator carb...

[CRTGAMER]

BTW, what is your avatar? looks like a SBC with a predator carb...

327 with a Holley 850 spread bore. Has an extra metering block spacer in the front with two sets of jets controlled from the dash.

[Pioneer4x4]

BTW, what is your avatar? looks like a SBC with a predator carb...

327 with a Holley 850 spread bore. Has an extra metering block spacer in the front with two sets of jets controlled from the dash.

COOL what is it in? (Something older than PONG I bet) For a 850 on only a 327, you must be turning some serious revs!

[CRTGAMER]

BTW, what is your avatar? looks like a SBC with a predator carb...

327 with a Holley 850 spread bore. Has an extra metering block spacer in the front with two sets of jets controlled from the dash.

COOL what is it in? (Something older than PONG I bet) For a 850 on only a 327, you must be turning some serious revs!

Well, don't want to rob this thread, a 1962 Impala.

 

More info here:

 

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=279464#p279464

[Rik]

Holy crap!That R.O.B. find is amazing.That thing is hard as heck to find, AFAIK.I've seen so many trying to get one of those, Congratulations!!Some of you guys are so damn lucky, I haven't found squat in the past year.

[CRTGAMER]

Holy crap!That R.O.B. find is amazing.That thing is hard as heck to find, AFAIK.I've seen so many trying to get one of those, Congratulations!!Some of you guys are so damn lucky, I haven't found squat in the past year.

So true about the persistence, keep going back you'll get lucky.

All kinds of great finds at Thrift Stores, Swap meets and even Craig's List.

[Pioneer4x4]

Well, don't want to rob this thread, a 1962 Impala.

 

More info here:

 

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=279464#p279464

Why? that link mentions Atari 2600! Cool ride, we pulled a 327 from the 1967 ElCamino my dad picked up, put it in a Monza, put a ZZ4 350 with a 700R4 in the Elky. Then I sold the Monza like a dolt.

[Rik]

This guy i know owns his own gaming shop and had a R.O.B.on display, complete.He noticed parts of it started missing.I felt sorry for the guy, but ended having to say, " dude, what do you expect, you don't put something like that out in the open, of course you'll get parts swiped, that should be locked in a display case".

[Cebus Capucinis]

A 700rSLOW you say?

[OldAtarian]

To completely derail the thread,

 

I have a 1973 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus with a 400-4bbl.

[psquare75]

78 Cougar with a 523" here

 

I just crashed the thread.. Look at the bodies everywhere.

[Pioneer4x4]

A 700rSLOW you say?

They have a great first gear, and the elky was a 3 on the tree. My dad didn't want to putz with a clutch all day. (we also added a home made tilt column made from various 70s GM columns)

The only thing not totally finished is the gear indicator. And one from an early 90s GMC van with OD is in progress.

[Pioneer4x4]

With all the muscle in this thread, my 2006 Charger R/T's Hemi is looking plain!

[Cebus Capucinis]

I just don't like 700r4s. They're efficient and great for what they are, but they just don't have enough oomph for me. The Vette had its TH350 replaced with a 700r4 before I bought it and I guess I'm just bitter about it! LOL

[Pioneer4x4]

Plus the Elky either needed a lower ratio rear end, or the o/d. It was singing at 65mph. It is my dad's toy, something to putz with, keeps him off the streets!

[Pioneer4x4]

Back to the R.O.B. I took a quick look, it has everything R.O.B. related except the part that holds the nintendo controller with the button levers.

I got

R.O.B. with clean battery compartment and cover and both "hands"

2 Gyros

Motor with clean battery compartment and cover

The part with 2 stations for idle gyros

 

I needed a Gyro, I would have paid the $6 for the stuff minus the R.O.B. itself.

 

Now, can the atari generate the video signal to control a R.O.B.?

I did a quick look and cannot find any details on what videl signal it responds to.

[OldAtarian]

I just don't like 700r4s. They're efficient and great for what they are, but they just don't have enough oomph for me. The Vette had its TH350 replaced with a 700r4 before I bought it and I guess I'm just bitter about it! LOL

 

I used to have a 66 Impala 283 with a Powerglide! Great tranny for dragging because only 1 shift point to slow you down.