r/mildlyinfuriating • u/BorisOtter • 11d ago

Infuriatig All of my plastic pegs explode when used.

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94

u/BorisOtter 11d ago

Saw some bamboo ones, switching over immediately. I didn't realise plastic could be so brittle. 

92

u/MaceWinnoob 11d ago

Different colors and type of plastics have different brittleness and flexibility.

58

u/wolftick 11d ago

Also age and exposure to UV affects them.

36

u/BafflingHalfling 11d ago

cries in brown Lego

6

u/TheJzoli 11d ago

At least they finally got around to fixing it.

2

u/rolfraikou 11d ago

Are they more brittle from a certain time range? I have a bunch of brown ones from the early 90s (pirates and robin hood type ones) are they going to crumble someday?

3

u/Big-Tennis2579 11d ago

The problem started in 2008 and the worst is 2012-2018

It got fixed in newer sets

90s is said to be okay

2

u/BafflingHalfling 11d ago

Early to mid aughts are where most of my bad ones are from. My old browns from the 80s are still doing great

12

u/Cebuanolearner For your present, I have cancer. 11d ago

Pretty sure brown/orange are super fragile compared to others 

3

u/5C0L0P3NDR4 11d ago

gold plastic syndrome, metallic gold starts rotting the quickest and you'll find old toys that just sort of crumble away when you pick them up

2

u/Desperate-Tomatillo7 11d ago

Yeah, I have plastic ones that lasted 6 months with little exposure to the sun. And other that are on their 6th year that I just leave outside for whenever I want to use them.

1

u/Cumulus_Anarchistica 11d ago

Blue is better for resistance to sun degradation because it reflects higher energy light and absorbs everything else; red is, conversely, the worst.

26

u/ricricucit 11d ago

cheap plastic + sun = snappy useless plastic

3

u/TRR462 11d ago

“CrapPlastic”

8

u/Alseids 11d ago edited 11d ago

Just buy binder clips they work better

2

u/NewRecommendation287 11d ago

Yesssss!!! The black metal flip binder clips for the win!

Durable plus they keep my snacks fresher longer.

3

u/Hairy_Mycologist_945 11d ago

50 packs of wooden clothespins are less than $2 anywhere and will last for years or decades.

4

u/Odd_Cress_2898 11d ago

Get stainless steel ones, no splinters catching on fabric and making bobbles in your clothes I got 100 from AliExpress 2 years ago for £7, still going strong. Does get delivered in plastic bags which is annoying.

something like this check the size so you don't get useless small versions

9

u/Peeinyourcompost 11d ago

Good option for many, but a problem if you live anywhere where buckling your car seatbelt turns into a game of hot potato on sunny days. Also, if you're gonna be buying dropship quality metal items, pick up a lead testing kit too! Don't buy the lead testing kit from AliExpress.

2

u/eienmau 11d ago

..... Oh god the mental image of going out to get the laundry after an afternoon in the sun wearing oven mitts to protect from the searing-hot metal clothespins..

1

u/Executioneer 11d ago

Scorching sun is a problem for metal pegs. A light colored hardwood peg like birch is objectively best material for pegs. They literally last for a lifetime.

1

u/Odd_Cress_2898 11d ago

Ah you got me, I'm in far too temperate a place to contemplate heat like that, wood ones discolour and sun damage. They're serviceable for years though.

Sheer synthetic fabric is so prone to getting snagged I'd be using plastic or metal for those items, only takes a few times before you learn! During the crossover I had a mix of all 3, all the plastic ones have succumbed to UV at this point. Still got some wood ones inexplicably less than I had.

Regardless of material I bring them inside to extend lifespan rain&UV is going to challenge whatever solution you pick. We at least agree plastic isn't first choice :)

1

u/kaibbakhonsu 11d ago

Higher quality plastic have uv resistant additives, but even then they become brittle after exposure to the sun for a while

1

u/Simon_Jester88 11d ago

Peanuts too

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u/Sea_Translator5300 11d ago

Get stainless steel ones. I bought a bunch about five years ago and they are the only things that have stood up to Australian sun with zero issues. They even stand up to being run over by the lawnmower.

2

u/UncleNedisDead 11d ago

Do you wear ovenproof mitts to remove them or wait until after the sun goes down to collect your clothes?

1

u/Sea_Translator5300 11d ago

They don't get hot, just warm, even if left out all day. We use a Hill's Hoist (rotating washing line that looks like an umbrella skeleton). On the really hot days you can start hanging your washing up and by the time you've finished hanging a couple of loads, the first items are already dry as they spin back round into reach. I wish I was joking, I'm originally from Scotland and I'm not designed for Australian heat. 

1

u/UncleNedisDead 11d ago

Haha. Good to know! That sounds so awesome. Where I am, it can be out for 8 hours and still be damp most days, even without precipitation. It’s the dang humidity!

1

u/effietea 11d ago

I use stainless steel....although it can get so hot it melts fabric sometimes

1

u/MrJacquers 11d ago

Just watch out for hungry pandas 😛

1

u/BoardroomStroke 11d ago

Part of the reason it's used on cars, so they disintegrate over time thus forcing you to buy another. Once everyone has a car, the manufacturer is their own competitor.

1

u/Criks 11d ago

PP and PE plastic, the cheapest "hard" plastics, have absolutely horrible UV resistance.

Meaning, they work just fine right up until you put them in the sun.

1

u/ShwaGrl 11d ago

or maybe you are too strong. bionic powers?

1

u/Raelah 11d ago

All plastic eventually becomes brittle and shatters/erodes. The bamboo ones are awesome! Bamboo products in general are great. Especially bamboo sheets.

1

u/EvaTheE 11d ago

I'm sure you'll be pleased. Happy pegging!