Making Canons Fire...

[El Jinete]

Maybe this subject has been addressed before, if so, I would be glad if somebody referred me to the topic's link... If not, here's a question. The Playmobil cannons that are released in the U.S. with the pirate ship and other sets do not fire (except for the "big bertha" type)... Does anybody know if there any special size of spring that can be inserted into these to make them fire?

Thanks for any suggestions,

El Jinete

[Richard]

Hello, El Jinete ...

As you have mentioned, the Playmobil cannon released in the US and Canada (except for "Big Bertha") are "impotent" ... They have no springs and cannot shoot a projectile at a Playmobil ship or Klicky ...

The size of the springs for the ship's cannon and the field gun are slighty different. Sometimes you can find a bag with an assortment of small springs in Lowes or Home Depot. There are also some ball point pens that have exactly the correct size springs.

When I lived in Houston, I would go to Berings (which is probably the most marvellous hardware store in the world) and buy the springs that I wanted. If you can find a really good independent hardware store similar to Berings, you can even get different strength springs to make your cannon as powerful as you want them to be !!!

Here's a picture of my favourite Playmobil fieldpiece and the parts list ...





As you have no doubt noticed, there is no part number for the spring.

All the best,
Richard

[El Jinete]

Thank you Richard for the information... I hope to "arm" my canons very soon! What is more satisfying than knocking over a Klicky from the opposite side of the room or across the lawn with a fired plastic projectile?!?  

Interesting enough, the Lego company had made a pirate theme a few years back. I bought a set upon the theme's launch, and the canon that came with it, did fire. However, the later sets that I bought, all included non-firing canons. There must be some safety regulations in the U.S. and Canada that toy companies have to comply with.

[Richard]

There must be some safety regulations in the U.S. and Canada that toy companies have to comply with.

Yes, we are all very well "protected" in North America ...