Ideal Zeroids Robots

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Ideal 1977 S.T.A.R. Team Ad "Ideal Invades Space with Star Team"

I'm not sure where this ad was originally published, I'm thinking either Playthings Magazine or Toys Magazine (both defunct toy industry publications). It was originally posted by Andy Yanchus, former Marvel Comics artist (RIP) into one of the 70's toy forums (now defunct I believe) under his StarRunn username. It's interesting that the ad doesn't use the S.T.A.R. acronym, seems kind of last minute.

Transcript:

EXTRA

IDEAL INVADES SPACE WITH STAR TEAM®.

Image caption: 1. Robot Zeroid® flashes light as automatic door opens and ramp descends from the space ship Star Hawk™.

Image caption: 2. The dastardly Knight of Darkness® challenges Zem 21® to a science-fiction showdown.

Image caption: 3. Battling Spaceships™ game permits players to battle for control of the universe.

Hollis, N.Y. Ideal Toy Corporation announces immediate delivery of the entire Star Team line.

At the same time, two exciting new TV commercials are scheduled for National airing.

It is expected that the impact of Star Team products will result in a great demand from the large audience of humanoid children.

Therefore, Ideal recommends that space be set aside for these new entries in the space race.

For science-fiction sales today.
IDEAL (logo)
1977 IDEAL TOY CORP., 200 FIFTH AVE. NORTH, N.Y., N.Y. 10010

1973 Ideal Innovations (UK) Catalog - Ideal Games, Toys & Dolls

1973 Ideal Innovations (UK) Catalog - Ideal Games, Toys & Dolls Cover

The "1973 Ideal Innovations Catalog - Ideal Games, Toys & Dolls" for the UK market shows a single odd image of Zobor - the chest of the Zeroid is turned around backwards, the eye-strip is missing and the claws are colored green. It has a single listing, I believe this may be the product number for the generic "Zerak Robot" Window Box or "Kresge" Battery Operated Robot Box:

1973 Ideal Innovations (UK) Catalog - Ideal Games, Toys & Dolls Page 34

1973 Ideal Innovations (UK) Catalog - Ideal Games, Toys & Dolls Page 34 Detail

4776-1 ZEROIDS ASSORTED From the planet Zero come the incredible workers of the future - grabbing, pinching, clawing, carrying, attracting, throwing, pushing, pulling and hauling. From turret to track they are realistically simulated in awesome detail.
Pack: 1 doz.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Ideal 4599-7 Assorted Zeroids in Blister Instructions

Zeroids Blister Card Back Instructions

Scan from Eugene Summers - I did photoshop it a bit to clean it up (had a lot of yellowing). The original image below.

Ideal 4599-7 Assorted Zeroids in Blister Instructions (Card Back)

Ideal 4779-5 Zeroid Commander Action Set Instructions

Ideal 4779-5 Zeroid Commander Action Set Instructions Front

2L-2696 Zeroid Commander Action Set Instructions

This is a fairly decent photocopy of the Zeroid Commander Action Set Instructions - note it's intended to be printed on both sides of the same sheet. Images from Eugene Summers.

Ideal 4779-5 Zeroid Commander Action Set Instructions Back

Ideal 4764-7 Zeroid w/Solar Cycle Instructions

This is a relatively good photocopy of the instructions. Image from Eugene Summers.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Ideal 4778-7 Zeroid Action Set Instructions

Ideal 4778-7 Zeroid Action Set Instructions Front

1L-2694 Zeroid Action Set Instructions

These very high quality scans of the Zeroid Action Set Instructions were provided by Eugene Summers.

Ideal 4778-7 Zeroid Action Set Instructions Back

Restoration: Bring Back Your Dead by Flash Dixon

Published by Flash Dixon 2022.02.020

One of the members recently asked how to bring back to life some Zeroids he had acquired, so I thought I’d just post it for all to see. Everyone has their own way to do this, but this is what works for me. Out of 11 robots I’ve repaired, I’ve only had one truly bad motor, and only one chassis that was too far gone to clean without having to solder in new contacts.

I use an ultra lite oil to lubricate, never ever WD-40. My tool for removing old corrosion is a medium grade sanding stick. And any electronics cleaner should work to hose out any grime in the motor. That stuff is completely harmless and I’ve even used it while the motor was running on one that was a mess.
Most areas that need the dirt and corrosion removed are fairly obvious, but there are two rivet points that are actually conductors, as well as the switch tension spring. All of those need attention. Lubrication points are fairly obvious as well.

The gear assembly is sometimes locked up or difficult to move. Hose it down with your parts cleaner and then oil the living Hell out of gear teeth and axle points. Work it back and forth carefully until it spins freely without much effort.

Hopefully you can now carefully put everything back together, throw in some new batteries, and get that guy racing across the floor again!

You can get these at almost any hobby store.

This is a little more difficult to find, but readily available several places online.
Completely safe for your motors and other electronics.

There are two conductive points that are easy to miss.

And the other side.

Obviously all four battery contact points on the chassis and upper body.

This is the conductive point for the switch plate.

This is the notorious switch tension spring. It needs well cleaned on both
sides. And be very careful when you disassemble as it is under tension and
will fly off onto the floor. I speak from frustrating experience.