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Creative => Customs Gallery => Topic started by: Tim_w on July 09, 2006, 12:03:28

Title: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on July 09, 2006, 12:03:28
Hello  All

Here are a few pictures of some more custom fire fighting equipment. Most of the tools shown here are geared towards non fire related rescues and are part of the large selection of equipment on my custom built Rescue Tender http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=694.0 (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=694.0).

Here is the first picture which shows the new vibrating saw. In real life it would most probably be powered by battery or a generator, but could also be powered by air. The blade vibrates quite fast in a backwards and forwards motion cutting out the hard work of sawing as all the operator has to do is hold it in place and guide its progress.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on July 09, 2006, 12:11:56
Here is a picture showing the improved hand pump. This peice of equipment is used to raise or lower bottle jacks or operate small cutting tools. The advantage of a hand pump is that you can carefully control its operation.

This next picture shows a set of pedal cutters which are operated using of the hand pump. They are mainly used to remove the pedals from cars if they are trapping a persons feet. They are compact and can be used in confined spaces.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on July 09, 2006, 12:14:43
This picture shows a set of blocks which are used as packing to fill in spaces whilst lifting or jacking heavy items.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on July 09, 2006, 12:19:35
This is a specialist peice of equipment which is used for water rescues called a hose air inflation kit. It allows a length of fire fighting hose to be filled with air from a standard BA (Breathing Apperatus) cylinder. Once it has been inflated it can be put into the water to form a float to help a person back to dry land.

The second picture shows the plug which firts into the end to stop the air escaping.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on July 09, 2006, 12:24:27
This picture shows the special supports which have been designed to stabilise a car when it is resting on its side. They come in two parts, the first part slides underneath the car to stabilise it whilst the support stops it falling over.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: playmofire on July 10, 2006, 01:34:34
I like the refinement of the grip on the handle of the hydraulic cylinder, Tim.  I shall upgrade the set you made me.

The vibrating saw is a neat one, and thanks for the prototype you did for me.  I may try to adapt the cold chisel from the archealogical tools as an extra attachment for it.

The inflation kit looks wonderful; I shall be on the lookout for the postman! :)

Great ideas, Tim, and neatly executed.  Thanks for sharing them, quite literally.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Sylvia on July 10, 2006, 08:35:50
I don't know what the real-life versions of all of these tools look like, but I'm still impressed by how much research and skill went into making each one.  8-)

Is everything made from existing Playmo parts? It certainly appears to be. That must be quite a challenge in itself to find pieces that can be adapted! :)

Nice to see a pic showing some of the equipment in action too!

Wonderful creations, Tim! :)9
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Little Jo on July 10, 2006, 13:53:22
Really great ideas, Tim, and very well executed. (I really like the regular grey shade you use for your tools)

The vibrating saw in German is called "elektrischer Fuchsschwanz" which means directly translated 'electric foxtail' (which is completely nonsens in English  :yup:) or translated (hopefully) correctly 'electric handsaw'.

So w.r.t. Sylvias comment I know this tool in real life (but this is the only one of those shown by you :-[)
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on July 10, 2006, 14:57:26
Hello  Gordon, Sylvia and Little Jo

First of all thank you all very much indeed for the kind feedback and for taking the time to reply !! Now to answer your questions. If i get chance a little later on i will try and find a few pictures of some of the real life equipment.

Gordon

The hand grip on the pump should fit straight on without any trouble. The idea just came into my head one of the days i was looking through my spare parts. I will get the hose inflation kit sent off to you before the weekend. Have you any preference to the colour of the case ?

Sylvia

Thank you for the kind reply. Most of the tools are made to my own design after looking at the real life version's. I allways try to make my custom's from existing Playmobil parts which can prove quite difficult at times ;D. I tend to cut lots of things up in a frenzy to get the part i need :lol:. I am currently working on a new project which has been adapted from all sorts of weird and wonderfull Playmobil item's. Hopefully it will be finished soon so i can reveal it on the forum.

Little Jo

Thank you very much indeed for the translation for the vibrating saw. I was not expecting it to turn out to be an electric foxtail :lol: Its suprising how things get mixed up when they are directly translated to English :lol:.  

Kindest Regards  Tim
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: playmofire on July 10, 2006, 15:09:52
Hello  Gordon, Sylvia and Little Jo

Gordon

The hand grip on the pump should fit straight on without any trouble. The idea just came into my head one of the days i was looking through my spare parts. I will get the hose inflation kit sent off to you before the weekend. Have you any preference to the colour of the case ?

Any colour will do other than red, thanks.  I must say the green looks very smart.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: FireChief on July 11, 2006, 04:49:58
Hey Tim,

Great stuff as usual. I really like the details. We have vibrating saws over here too, except they're called saw-zaws or recipricating saws and are battery or electric powered. Yours looks pretty close to the real thing. :yup: I've seen it before, but what part did you use for the handle on that?  
Also the pedal cutters, those are really neat. I like the blooks you made too. In the U.S. those are usually just blocks of wood called cribbing, and just as you said are stacked under something to keep it stable if something were to happen with the lifting equipment. Everything looks really good. Thanks for sharing these Tim

Ben
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on July 13, 2006, 09:02:26
Hello  Ben  :wave:

Thank you very much indeed for the kind feedback and words of encouragement. I have sent you a private message answering your question about the saw. However for anyone else who would like to know the handle is part of the Playmobil ground monitor slightly customised. The pedal cutters are taken from the barbecue set, but do the just the job as a set of small hydraulic cutters.
Here is a picture of the ground monitor, thanks must go to here Heather for providing her great website http://www.playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-61-1980 (http://www.playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-61-1980)

Kindest Regards  Tim  :)
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on August 26, 2006, 16:47:14
Hello  All

I guess you are pretty fed up now of seeing my Rescue tools but i was left with a bit of a dilemma and after thinking it over i felt this was the best option for all.
As most of you know by now fire fighters from Ben's Fire Service are visiting on a training exercise. Before things could start they needed introducing to the New Equipment. It was the ideal opportunity for some pictures and as most of them demonstrate the New Equipment i thought i would put them here as an addition. There are a few detail shots giving a few pointers on how things were made as well. So without further ado here they are:

This first batch of Pictures show the heavy cutters, Spreader's and compressor. These have been modified to take an air line.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on August 26, 2006, 16:49:53
This second set of pictures show a custom Heavy Cutter / Spreader made from the hedge trimmer. It couldn't be shown before as someone forgot to attach the handle for the picture ;D. This can also be connected to the compressor with an air line in the same way as the other tools above
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on August 26, 2006, 16:51:55
Here are a few pictures of the hand pump and pedal cutter's being used by two of Ben's men.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on August 26, 2006, 16:53:55
Finally here is a picture of one of Ben's men being introduced to the Vibrating Saw.

Thank you for your patience and for taking the time to look at my pictures  :)9.

Kindest Regards Tim  :wave:
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: playmofire on August 26, 2006, 17:11:59
Thanks for the news and pictures, Tim.  Great photos and its good to see international co-operation between fire services.  And I for one am not tired of seeing your customs! :)
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Little Jo on August 26, 2006, 21:34:16
 :) These pictures are so lovely. The U.S. team seems to be quite interested in your tools.

Oh Tim, what ideas you always have: I really like your custom Heavy Cutter / Spreader -- what an idea.
I recognized the trimmer immediatly but what is the tool blade made from? Is it a PM part?!?
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: FireChief on August 27, 2006, 02:49:21
Hey Tim,   :wave:

Great pictures! It's good to see that my men have been trained on the best equipment available. I really do like the heavy cutter/spreader, I've always wondered what I could use the hedge trimmer for  ;D.  Did you use the hydraulic arm from the submarine for the spreaders? I always look forward to seeing your customs Tim, I've already made 2 airbags for my department  :) 

Thanks for sharing.

Ben

Would you like me to post some of my pictures on this page as well?
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on August 27, 2006, 20:00:21
Hello  Gordon, Little Jo and Ben  :)9

Thank you all for the kind feedback on my latest pictures, it is very much appreciated.  

Little Jo:

The end for the new spreader was made using the hydraulic arm off the submarine. I also added a small connector in the handle of the hedge trimmer for the air line.


Ben:

The end for the new spreader is indeed the hydraulic arm off the submarine. I am planning on making one of these for your fire service, when complete its complete it will accompany your men back to the USA. I am glad you have been able to make some of the air bag's for your new Rescue Truck :). Did you figure out how to inflate them ?

Kindest Regards  Tim  :wave:
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on April 06, 2007, 18:58:05
Hello  All

Here is a quick update and introduction to some of the new rescue tools that i have been working on. I decided to post them here rather than start a new thread because its an ongoing theme of mine and i would like to form a catalogue so to speak. So without further ado here are the tools.

This is an updated version of the hand pump that can be seen on the first few pages. It has been improved with ease of construction in mind and uses readily available parts, of which 99% are Playmobil.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on April 06, 2007, 18:59:10
Next up is a pair of heavy hydraulic rams. These are mainly used in heavy rescue situations for the pushing, spreading, prising and lifting of objects. An example of their use would be at the scene of a train or heavy vehicle crash where very strong metal is encountered. The top of the ram can be taken off and swapped depending on what task it is being used for. A picture of the different attachments will follow at a later date. To operate the rams the crew would attach them to a portable hydraulic pump (Not Shown in Pictures).
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on April 06, 2007, 18:59:58
Here is a new rock drill that I have been developing. It comes with several different attachments including various chisels. A drill like this would normally be used in Urban Search and Rescue situations for dealing with concrete, rock or bricks. In the USAR role crews could easily find themselves having to drill through a wall into the room of a collapsed building. This tool would be ideal for the task at hand and is operated by a portable hydraulic pump (Not Shown in Pictures).

Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: playmofire on April 06, 2007, 19:13:10
Very impressive, Tim.  I especially like the carry case arrangements for the rock drill - very neat.

Look forward to seeing more.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Little Jo on April 07, 2007, 05:54:40
Wow, these pieces are cool. Clever idea of the box compartement.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Sylvia on April 07, 2007, 08:04:07
Great customs, Tim! And it all looks very neat and tidy, as Gordon said. 8-)

I like that you use predominantly existing Playmo parts to create your new tools. This gives them a very authentic feel. :)9

Thanks for continuing to share your project with us! :)
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Jimbo on April 07, 2007, 13:27:22
Excellent tools!  Very well done, Tim.

Best regards 

Jimbo
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on April 09, 2007, 10:11:40
Hello  All

Thank you very much for the kind reply's :). Hopefully there will be a few more pictures soon. I plan on taking a couple of shots showing the tools in action, this may be presented in a new thread.

Kindest Regards  Tim
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: FireChief on May 04, 2007, 16:25:46
Nice tools, Tim.

You are excellent at putting every detail into place with you customs, and finding another use for every playmobil part ever made.  ;D

Good job.



Ben
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on May 05, 2007, 10:35:18
Hello  Ben

Thank you very much for the kind reply to my post. I have allways been fascinated by the type of tools used by the fire service for rescue work. Infact i spend quite a lot of time looking at different websites both fire service related and tool manufacturer's. I allways wonder how i can make them in Playmobil form when i look at the real tool's, there is allways some Playmobil parts that can be adapted for the job  :) !!

Kindest Regards  Tim
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on September 14, 2008, 10:42:39
Hello Everyone :)

I know its an old thread but i have decided to post these here rather than start a new one and have everything fragmented. This way i can keep all of my rescue tools in one place so if anyone is interested in finding them they can do so quite easily :)9.

The latest additions to my collection consist of some new heavy duty jacks:

The first jack is probably one of the largest portable 'air operated' heavy duty jacks available. It is certainly the biggest in my fire service inventory. This sort of jack is used for lifting very heavy objects including: large pieces of machinery, railway locomotives and large objects such as steel girders. To keep the jack small but at the same time get the most out of its lifting capability it has two telescopic cylinders. These allow the jack to be raised to 3 times its original height. An air compressor is used to provide the power needed to lift the jack.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on September 14, 2008, 10:43:23
This next set of air operated jacks also double as a set of props. They can be used to lift and support fallen walls, trench sides, unstable vehicles or anything else the fire fighters can use them for. There is also a set of different jack heads which fit at the end of the cylinder. They come in different shapes and sizes depending on what needs to be lifted. The last picture shows a standard flat jack head which could be used for lifting a truck trailer or supporting a wall.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on September 14, 2008, 10:43:49
Here are pictures of the air compressor and the 110v generator used to power it. The air compressor is 'intrinsically safe' which means it can be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. All its internal components are designed not to create any heat or sparks and as a result it has no engine of its own. This is why a seperate power source is used to provide it with the power it needs to run. All the air lines are designed so that they can be joined together allowing the jack to be situated a good distance away from the air compressor. The 110v generator has a small 4 stroke petrol engine and in keeping with the air lines the electrical cables can all be plugged into each other.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on September 14, 2008, 10:44:13
The complete setup including jack, air compressor and 110v generator.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on September 14, 2008, 11:15:17
The last piece of equipment in this batch is an electrical extension lead. It is fully functional (apart from not supplying power :lol:) and can be wound in or out using the handle on the side, which actually turns. All of the leads are designed to be plugged into plug sockets on my generator's, lights and vehicles.

Well that's about all for now. I have a few other pieces i am experimenting with at the moment. As soon as they are finished i will add them along with the rest of the collection.

Kindest Regards Tim  :wave:
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Gepetto on September 14, 2008, 14:58:44
Tim,

These are impressive customs! Do you need to do a lot of fabrication or can you just use preexisting components? Very nicely done, thank you for sharing these (excellent photos by the way).



Gepetto
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: playmofire on September 14, 2008, 21:15:58
You've certainly been busy, Tim, and to good effect.  I especially like the electric cable reel - very cleverly done. 
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on September 16, 2008, 19:40:00
Hello Gepetto,

Thank you for the kind feedback. Allmost 95% of the customs i make use genuine Playmobil parts that have been modified to suit my needs. I like to keep everything as faithfull as possible to the original Playmobil style but at the same time what i am making needs to look like the 'real' thing. As a result i am allways looking through the plans at PlaymoDB for parts i can use in my customs. This usually leads to very big orders from Direct Services though :lol:


Hello Gordon,

Thank you very much indeed for the kind reply. The electrical cable reel was a spur of the moment thing, it just sort of happened. I am planning on making a couple of spares if i have the parts available so while i am at it i will make you one aswell :). The cable itself or the rubber wire i use for the cable is on the DS order, how's that for forward planning ;) :lol:
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: playmofire on September 16, 2008, 20:33:08



Hello Gordon,

Thank you very much indeed for the kind reply. The electrical cable reel was a spur of the moment thing, it just sort of happened. I am planning on making a couple of spares if i have the parts available so while i am at it i will make you one aswell :). The cable itself or the rubber wire i use for the cable is on the DS order, how's that for forward planning ;) :lol:


Thanks Tim.  I've just bought the 4082 THW set and so items like that will be very useful for kitting it out.  I hope to do a review of the set later this week.  As it's a big set, three vehicles, two trailers, five figures and lots of bits, I may have to spread it over a number of days depending on other commitments.

I'll follow up your email tomorrow.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Rasputin on September 17, 2008, 15:45:29
Tim W , You certainly have an attention to detail that is right in line with Playmobil . Those parts or tools look to me like original factory sets . I was also wondering if they were all made from playmobil items and was not able to recognize all the pieces you used . Do you use these for play or do you do photo-stories with them ? I can not recall seeing any recent pictures of collisions scenes of yours ( or am i looking in the wrong places )

 Thanks for showing us you talented creations
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Little Jo on September 18, 2008, 09:49:32
Wow, the air compressor and the extension lead are really cool items!  :wow:
I also should have those in my collection.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on September 20, 2008, 11:45:03
Hello Rasputin

Thank you for the kind reply. Where possible i allways try and use 95% to 98% genuine Playmobil parts for my customs. The only thing that i normaly use thats none Playmobil is Plastruct or Plasticard and only then in small ammounts. If i am using a Playmobil part i like to try and disguise it as much as possible. What i mean by that is i still want it to look like Playmobil but i dont want it to be obvious what it was originally. This means i usually remove any unwanted detail or plastic parts that wont detract from the finished custom.
Most of my tools have been featured in photo storys but they were posted a long time ago and reside in the very depths of the Story Telling section. I am sure if you dig deep enough you will find some pictures. I havent done a photo story for quite a while as there isnt much demand for them anymore. If i have chance later on today i will see what i can come up with ;)


Hello Little Jo

Thank you for the kind reply. You are more than welcome to copy the design of the air compressor and extension leads. If you need any help dont hesitate to ask, i can provide you with a few tips on how they were made.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: noodwachter72 on November 08, 2008, 22:55:37
I like your tool's great work

peter
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on November 09, 2008, 22:38:41
Hello Peter :),

Thank you very much indeed for your kind reply. I am allways working on new designs and improving old ones. Once i have enough new equipment made i usually update this thread to keep them all in one place.

Hopefully i will have some more updates soon...

Tim  :wave:
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: FireChief on November 22, 2008, 03:33:01
Hello again Tim,

I really like the heavy duty jacks you have made, really cool. I could use a set of those for my department. Have your firefighters had to do any heavy lifting other than the training you put on a few years ago? Also, how much are the jacks rated for or whats the biggest piece of playmobil they can lift?

 - Ben



Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on November 22, 2008, 16:00:39
Hello Ben,

Its nice to see you again  :yup: I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you :(. Thank you for the kind feedback on my rescue tools. The jacks are among the most powerfull available and would be used for lifting and moving railway locomotives. I have fine tuned them since posting these pictures and they havent got the untidy looking grey tops on anymore. When i get round to it i intend to make a sliding tray for them to fit onto which in turn fits between railway lines. This would allow the fire fighters to lift a railway locomotive and move it side ways. It would be a pleasure to make you a couple of the jacks but unfortunatley they can only be made out of the old style fire hydrants and i don't have any left :(. If you have some in your collection and could send them to me i would be able to make them into jacks for you. Sadly i haven't found a suitable replacement to make them with yet.
I am really looking forward to seeing your Rescue Truck. As you have gathered in the past that sort of thing is right up my street ;D I was really impressed by your previous one :wow: and even to this day i am still looking for a railway carriage to make a similar vehicle (if you didn't mind me using your design). I am building a new Rescue Truck for my fire service at the moment based on a 3880 chassis but it doesnt even come close to your's Ben :wow:

Tim :wave:
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: noodwachter72 on November 25, 2008, 17:54:31
Hello Tim

hier I upload a Pict. of a steel wire Kabul pulling tool
wie us in holland ad the fire brigade and the  dutch civil divens

this one is mate out of aluminium but i make an adder of plastic

groet Peter  :yup: :yup: :wave: :wave:
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: playmofire on November 25, 2008, 19:08:01
Hi Peter  :wave:, have made a very neat model of a Turfor winch  :wow:.  I've thought a number of times that it would be nice if Playmobil made one.  Thanks for showing it.
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: Tim_w on November 25, 2008, 21:09:33
Hello Peter,

:woohoo:  Thank you very much for sharing your custom :wow: As Gordon said it does indeed look like a Turfor winch. I have had the pleasure of using one of these or atleast being trained in its use, unfortunatley i haven't been able to make one like yours for my for Playmobil fire service. I really must get onto it now i have seen your wonderfull pictures.

Tim :wave:
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: noodwachter72 on November 26, 2008, 18:32:43
Hi Tim and Gordon

The brand name in the nederlands is tirfort takel.
de tool name is staaldraad trek apparaat

groet Peter
Title: Re: NEW Custom Fire Service Tool's
Post by: playmobilfire136 on July 05, 2018, 17:36:02
Really cool design!