Here they come...from the Planet Zero! The incredible workers of the Future!
 |
| Ideal 4599-7 Assorted Zeroids in Blister Instructions |
 |
| Ideal 4599-7 Assorted Zeroids in Blister Instructions (Card Back) |
All content, including images and editorial, is Copyright ©1999-2025 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.
 |
| Ideal 4779-5 Zeroid Commander Action Set Instructions Front |
 |
| Ideal 4779-5 Zeroid Commander Action Set Instructions Back |
All content, including images and editorial, is Copyright ©1999-2025 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.
 |
| Ideal 4764-7 Zeroid w/Solar Cycle Instructions |
All content, including images and editorial, is Copyright ©1999-2025 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.
 |
| Ideal 4778-7 Zeroid Action Set Instructions Front |
 |
| Ideal 4778-7 Zeroid Action Set Instructions Back |
All content, including images and editorial, is Copyright ©1999-2025 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.
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. |
 |
| The underside of the switch plate. Two contact points as well as that entire bar need to be clean |
 |
| These are your motor conductive points that need cleaned. |
 |
| The main shaft. Oil the outside of the shaft… |
 |
| As well as the inside. |
 |
| Same for the gear side. |
All content, including images and editorial, is Copyright ©1999-2025 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.
 |
| Ideal 4764-7 Zeroid w/Solar Cycle - Zemo Version - Box Front |
The Zemo Zeroid is a bit of a conundrum. Released very late in the toyline it's basically a mashup of the three original zeroids molded in new colors as three different versions were offered. Zemo has the head of Zintar (with a Zerak antenna), the upper torso, arms and hands of Zerak, and the lower body/legs and waist of Zobor. It could be found in a very distinctive red, a blue similar to Zerak's color, and an orange similar to Zobor's color only without any metal flaking.
 |
| Ideal Zeroid Zemo - Red Version |
 |
| Ideal Zeroid Zemo - Orange Version |
 |
| Ideal Zeroid Zemo - Turquoise Version |
It's been reported that these were offered in the generic "Zerak Robot" box - there was an auction at one point where the Zemo included a Kresge box (see below) but I find it unlikely that it was ever offered in the US or Canada (no anecdotes of anyone obtaining on as a child in the US at least) - I don't believe Kresge had stores elsewhere.
I had read at one time (and am somehow unable to find it again) a discussion on one of the forums that Zemo was the brainchild of Ideal employees in the UK, where the Zeroids were still selling well in the generic "Zerak Robot" boxes in 1970 and later. Someone came up with the idea of mashing up the robots and put an order in to their Asian manufacturer. A handful shipped in the Zerak color with "Zemo" on the waist - these were given to Ideal UK employees - none of the regular production examples bear a name (not sure why this was, probably something to do with the additional costs involved). The turquoise Zemo images above were from the forum post from around 2000.
For the longest time, the only packaged example I've seen is the one that I own, sold in 2001 in an eBay auction. As I recall I paid around $600 for it which seemed exorbitant - little did I know how rare these are. A second, similar packaged example was sold some time later for around $1200 in a damaged box - I suspect that they were from the same lot as they're very similar.
 |
| eBay Auction Images from my win in 2001 |
 |
| Auction Image from 2002 (note damaged box) |
 |
| Zermo in Kresge Box? |
N/A
I've owned this example since 2001 - I keep thinking another will appear but so far I seem to have the only one?
These sell even loose for a somewhat crazy amount - I was outbid in 2024 at $1600 on one.
All content, including images and editorial, is Copyright ©1999-2025 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.
 |
| Ideal 4777-9 Kresge "Battery Operated Robot" Box Front |
The Kresge "Battery Operated Robot" Box provided a way for Ideal to market the Zeroids to the discount Kresge "Big K" stores in the US. It's a plain thin cardboard box printed on all six sides in blue ink with "Battery Operated Robot" above a somewhat odd open window, that really only offered a view of a Zeroid's waistline. Strangely, the inserts are cut so the robot is at an angle in the box, I'm guessing to show additional detail from the side. I don't know if this was an attempt at preventing dilution of the Ideal Zeroids brand or a security measure to prevent the robot from being taken out of the box.
The box is taupe cardboard with a small open display window on the front. "Battery Operated Robot" above the window and "Runs Forward and Reverse" beneath with small text at the bottom "2 "A-A" Batteries Required (Not Included) Imported Parts Labeled to Show Country of Origin"
The sides and back have an image of Zintar with a simplified Zerak head printed in blue with the same text as detailed above. The top of the box has "Battery Operated Robot Runs Forward and Reverse" printed in blue.
N/A
It's been reported that any of the original three Zeroids plus Zogg were available in this box. I don't believe there was any separation of item numbers for individual Zeroid models.
I have a couple of these boxes - the example shown is store stock, my first box was a little cleaner but missing inserts and holds a Zerak. They're fairly common.
I've also seen an image of a Zemo that came with this box but I'm somewhat skeptical that the box was original to the Zemo as I haven't seen any anecdotes regarding the original purchase of one in the US or Canada, in this box.
|
| Zermo in Kresge Box? |
All content, including images and editorial, is Copyright ©1999-2025 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.
