Ryan Norton (son of Michael Norton) inspects the craftsmanship of a new Bill Kendzierski claw. Robot by Frederick Hodges	Under the shadow of Michael Norton's famous home-made torso. his eldest son, Matthew, is conveniently mesmerized by a computer-generated slide show documenting the building of Craig Reinbrecht's robot. Meanwhile, Ryan Norton surreptitiously switches on the robot's programming microphone.
While the adults have foolishly turned their backs, Ryan Norton stealthily reprograms the robot to obey his voice commands only.	Left to Right: Craig Reinbrecht; Matthew Norton; Robot; Don Saito; Ryan Norton; Marty Campbell; Michael Norton
Craig Reinbrecht with a loquacious robot.	Marty Campbell performing a ritualistic "stack up" of his newly acquired robot parts.
Two robots square off against each other. Caught in the middle are Craig Reinbrecht, Norman Watson, and Nancy Terrel.	Craig is shocked to hear the robot use some pretty harsh language while discussing "Atom the Robot."
Proud papa Marty Campbell with his wonderful new Mike Joyce/Tim Keavin robot torso. Other than the torso, donut, neck bracket, and brain cup, Marty made all other parts of his robot himself.	Left to Right: Nancy Terrel; Norman Watson; Craig Reinbrecht: Marty Campbell.
Left to Right: Norman Watson; Craig Reinbrecht: Frederick Hodges; Marty Campbell.	Norman Watson unveils for the camera his hand-made copper robot brain - a masterpiece of the metal smith's art.
The brainless wonder. Every robot needs a spare head. This is my entirely unpainted, raw aluminum "fifth-season" robot head. It only needs some light bulbs and a good quality brain in either stainless steel or aluminum to be complete. [Photo by Don Saito]	"If only I could get my hands on those diamonds!" Special Guest Star Craig Reinbrecht delights the crowd with his highly acclaimed impression of Dr. Zachary Smith.  [Photo by Don Saito]
Ryan Norton once again blazes new trails in cybernetics. [Photo by Don Saito]	Group shot, Left to Right: Don Saito: Frederick Hodges: Craig Reinbrecht: Robot: Ryan Norton: Matthew Norton: Michael Norton: Marty Campbell. [Photo by Don Saito]
Close up of my robot's torso panel. [Photo by Don Saito]	Close up of Michael Norton's home-made torso. [Photo by Don Saito]

From:  Craig Reinbrecht <craig@s...>
Date:  Mon Feb 16, 2004  6:06 pm
Subject:  Re: [B9Builders] Mini-Con Report

Thanks Frederick! You really know how to hold a great event! The 16mm film
of "The Raft" was a real treat. Also thanks for letting us trash your nice
apartment. I'm sure it still smells like chicken! I certainly hope
Frederick will get a chance to display his robot at a show sometime,
because it is a real stand out. He has a few areas to finish up, but it
already looks stunning with the beautifully finished all aluminum
treadsection, waist plate and donut, the very cool real working buttons,
and the nicest radar section on the planet. Just to name a few things. It
would sure be nice to see him at FrightVision this year! :)

It was great meeting Marty, Mike Norton and his boys, Don, Norm Watson and
Nancy. I was inspired by the craftsmanship I saw from the parts that these
guys brought with them. There was some real talent in that room. Norm's
handmade brass brain is so perfect you would swear it was laser cut. Wow!.
And the hooks in the works by Marty, were fantastic, along with his
handmade acrylic radar, light rods, and legs. Fantastic work!

I certainly hope I can make another Bay-9ers Mini-Con!

Thanks to everyone for making the effort to come, and for a very memorable
event.

Craig

Well Mini-Con (or Cluck-Con) is just a memory now.
It was my first Club function and won't be my last.
I met Craig Reinbrecht, Mike Morton and his two sons, Don (sorry I didn't
catch your last name), Norm and Nancy Watson and of course the host of our show
Frederick Hodges.

Walking into Frederick's apartment was like walking into a Robot B9 factory.
There were parts everywhere and Im to excited to say some of them were for me.
I picked up my Chest Button Bezel and Chest Buttons, Knob and Microphone
Rings, Programming bay and front Programming bay vent and all the tracks for all
the vents. Frederick had my neon and a Chest Light flasher by Craig R. Better
then Christmas.

The day started out with general discussion and stacking up from the knees up
the parts I have now, lots of hands on show and tell and then a demonstration
from Craig on how to assemble his Chest Button kit, and then more hands on
show and tell. Then came lunch.

Yes I said Cluck-Con. Col. Sanders would be proud. We were asked to bring
munchies and that we did. I brought fried chicken, Don brought roast chicken and
when we thought it was safe to go outside for a walk to the Bakery down the
street, along came Norm and Nancy with BBQ Chicken Wings. I think, the next
convention, we're gonna get protested by the beef council.

We ended the afternoon with a REAL TREAT: An uncut 16mm viewing of "The Raft".
Talk about the big screen. Frederick really knows how to entertain.
I want to finish this with a huge thank you to Frederick for hosting, Craig
for coaching, Don for the laughing and roasted chicken Norm and Nancy for
winging their way down from Clearlake (3 hours one way) and Mike for bringing
his homemade torso. Yes, I can say I have seen the famous torso.

Now Ill shut up.
Thanks again,
Marty C. B9-0115

From:  Michael Norton <mnorton@c...>
Date:  Sat Feb 14, 2004  1:55 pm
Subject:  West Coast Mini Con, THANKS Frederick!
 
 

Do to the holiday constraints I had to leave the MiniCon early.
First of all, thank you Frederick for your hospitality and opening up your
home to us. This was fun.

It was great to meet in person, finally. And thank you Marty for letting
take snap shots and measurements on your torso. I am going to attempt to
have my torso ready for this Halloween. In gun metal, not fluorescent green.

Don it was a pleasure to meet you too. Sorry I had to bail early.

Did the Bondo ever clear the air after took my torso home?

Frederick your B9 passed the child testing phase with no serious glitches.
Your B9 is a master piece!

thanks everyone!

Mike N.