PlaymoFriends
Creative => How-To => Topic started by: Keesinho on April 15, 2013, 20:38:56
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Hello guys,
I'm in need of an expert in taking apart playmobil without damage. Below you can see the images of a nice Western carriage that I acquired in an awesome lot of playmobil recently. However, the previous owner has made a little mistake in putting the wheels on...
Now from speaking to the seller, I know that this set was assembled when bought, 20 years ago... Which means these wheels are stuck in their position for 20 years now. And I know how the plastic loses its flexibility over the years all too well. I don't have a spare for this particular carriage so I cannot afford to mess it up.
So I'm asking you guys..do you have any techniques that could work on removing the wheels without breaking off the hooks they are secured in?
See below for piccies!
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/8653471434_7c8f5e2077_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8652370687_2eebf86757_c.jpg)
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Love that wagon, my first playmobil set! :love: I'd be scared to take them off too. But I think your best shot is using heat to soften the plastic. Not too much heat, of course, but a hair dryer on a low setting can soften the plastic enough to make it a little more pliable.
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Hot water might be a better starting point.
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Thanks for the advice both,
I think hot water is a safer option than putting a hair dryer on it..but will it heat up enough? Will I be standing in the kitchen, cooking Playmobil? :P
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the dryer is a lot easier, cleaner and faster. Practice and take your time. You want the plastic to heat all the way through to the core. Take it slow, I have broken many that were put together years ago. Also the wagon top tabs break easily too.
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Mission succeeded!
I went for the water option. Took some really hot water and let the carriage soak for 10 minutes. It came loose very easily and I was able to put the wheels on properly. See my other thread (the mission) for results :)
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Glad it turned out well! This was a real nail biter!
Joe
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Oh good, very glad to hear it worked out! It would be a shame to ruin such a great piece.
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Congratulations on a successful mission :confetti: :woohoo:
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:o that's a job good done. I wouldn't dare...
I just rescued my old wagon from my childhood at my moms a couple of weeks ago...intact.
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i just saw this thread and have a question for everyone....can't one of the wheels be pulled out from the metal axle safely without cracking the hub? if you tug at both the wheels, the looser hub might just release safely..I supposed you might have tried but it was too tight to risk? (usually do that for toy cars where there are holes for the axles instead of just hooks)
or are all kinds of PM wheels glued to metal axles?
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i just saw this thread and have a question for everyone....can't one of the wheels be pulled out from the metal axle safely without cracking the hub? if you tug at both the wheels, the looser hub might just release safely..I supposed you might have tried but it was too tight to risk? (usually do that for toy cars where there are holes for the axles instead of just hooks)
or are all kinds of PM wheels glued to metal axles?
The one I have, the wheels simply will not come off the axle.
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i just saw this thread and have a question for everyone....can't one of the wheels be pulled out from the metal axle safely without cracking the hub? if you tug at both the wheels, the looser hub might just release safely..I supposed you might have tried but it was too tight to risk? (usually do that for toy cars where there are holes for the axles instead of just hooks)
or are all kinds of PM wheels glued to metal axles?
Necro thread! But worthy on an answer.. Sometimes you can pull the wheels off..and other times they are so stuck you end up destroying the wheel because the spikes (?) break as a result of the force.
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So, the 2 small wheels were on the back and the 2 big wheels on the front?
Then why trying to pull off the wheels, instead of just removing the axles from their holders - with the wheels still on - and putting them in the right place?! ???
These waggons came with the wheels already attached to the axles. Swapping the front and aft axle should be no problem, normally the axle-holders won't break or something if you handle it with some care ...
If the holders loosen too much so the axles might drop out, add some small bits of thin invisible tape around the axle in the right place and voilà.
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So, the 2 small wheels were on the back and the 2 big wheels on the front?
Then why trying to pull off the wheels, instead of just removing the axles from their holders - with the wheels still on - and putting them in the right place?! ???
Err that's what I did. :)
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I was thinking you were removing the whole axil with wheels and swapping them. Taking off the actual wheel is difficult due to the metal shaft (axil) having the grooves and the glue.