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Very nasty problem with Bionicle pieces...HELP!


MetalStorm978

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Hi, I'm new to this site and, although I have been collecting Bionicles since 2004, i never felt the need to write here...at least to this day. Something really terrible happened to my collection, I returned home today afer a month or so of vacation and found all of my Bionicles collapsed inside their "exposition spots" on my shelves. I found out that the 80% of the joint pieces, the Toa mata hands if you prefer (i really don't know their specific name), were broken. I was not, however, the infamous "ball joint socket" part of it but the upper section were you can insert the axel pieces. And it does not end here! Many other pieces that had an axel inserted in them are now broken...

Please,has this kind of thing ever occurred to one of you? Even on such large scale (30/35 bionicles of my collection are now incapable even of standing up)? Can some of you give me some advice? Some tips to understand how such a catastrophe has occurred ?

 

P.s. I'm almost certain that the scorching heat of this summer has somenting to do with it, but is just a suspicion.

 

P.p.s. I'll try to post some photos to help understand what exactly is the problem.

Thanks in advance!

 

https://ibb.co/gwgwwv

https://ibb.co/dNobwv

Edited by MetalStorm978
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I have had the socket pieces break on me like that, and some liftarms have given me issues. I haven't quite had an issue with that connector piece breaking in half like that tho.

 

Having the pieces connected together for prolonged periods of time could cause extra stress, which would be increased if there was a big temperature change, so I could understand that being a reason for them breaking. (If the heat is causing the axles to expand in the tight connect space, then they would probably break.) I think, ideally, you'd want to store your elements in cool, dark places... but that generally takes away any display value. I've instead taken to Bricklink to replace broken elements; sockets and most early Bionicle parts (besides masks) tend to be fairly cheap. (The difficult part, for me anyway, is stopping at just getting replacement pieces and not buying a whole lot of other parts that look interesting.)

 

:music:

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I've had this happen to me so many times, it isn't even funny. To my knowledge this is solely due to exposure to somewhat heat over a long period of time, it somehow breaks the bonds within the plastic at certain weak points in the plastic, i.e at the mid-points of the axle holes. My myself have been thinking of ways to fix this, such as melting the plastic at the weak point and letting it cool down, to just forcing it to stick together with friction at said stress point before thy entirely fall apart. You can tell if a piece is to break because there is a crack line that forms horizontally between the sides of the openings where the axle is visible at the top of the piece.

 

Additionally, I have had this problem with spacers as well as ball sockets and technic pieces, as well as technic half-thickness beams.

Quote: "Love has no fear, and no vengeance." |

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Heh, exactly Xccj, that's the problem with Bricklink, every insertion calls out to your wallet, it's like the tempting melody of the sirens....besides this, thanks for confirming my hypothesis, the idea that probably the heat has expanded the axels came to me tonight but I wasn't sure about it. I really appreciate your answer, thanks!

 

__________________

 

 

Well, thank you for the precious advices toa Imrukii, I am relieved not to be the only one who has experienced this thing. I've examinated most of my sets and yeah, you're right, many other small technic pieces, that had something to do with axels, are now useless (krekka and other titans like axonn are reduced to amorphous heaps of pieces). I think that I'll rebuild my sets with some pieces bought on Bricklink and then I will try to put them in a cool spot of my house...maybe I'll get them out when the temperature will decrease. Thanks again for your reply.

 

https://ibb.co/mNpYRv Look at him, is annihilated

Edited by MetalStorm978
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Do you live in a place with dry air?

Because Legos love humidity.

Not really, but it is true, however, that this August there has been an unexpected rise in temperature...that's likely the problem.

If they like humidity maybe I could try to vaporize some water on them every day? Seems a bit strange but if could help in some way to avoid further issues with the pieces I'll gladly do it, I mean, it's always better than keeping them forever in some boxes.

Heck, i could even move my collection to the bathroom, that is the most humid place of the house hehehe.

Besides this, thank you for replying, this could help a lot.

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Do you live in a place with dry air?

Because Legos love humidity.

Not really, but it is true, however, that this August there has been an unexpected rise in temperature...that's likely the problem.

If they like humidity maybe I could try to vaporize some water on them every day? Seems a bit strange but if could help in some way to avoid further issues with the pieces I'll gladly do it, I mean, it's always better than keeping them forever in some boxes.

Heck, i could even move my collection to the bathroom, that is the most humid place of the house hehehe.

Besides this, thank you for replying, this could help a lot.

Use a humidifier over a mist bottle.

The moisture in the air help fight dry rod with makes Legos crack. I don't have this problem in Florida because we have such high humidity already.

Hey I got a Flickr because I like making LEGO stuff.

https://www.flickr.com/people/toatimelord/
 

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I suggest using Krazy glue to mend the pieces over other brands and apply it with a toothpick for seamless fixes. Then take clear finger nail polish and use a new toothpick to cover the crack.

Well, I'm not really sure about it, I mean i don't know this glue but I'm pretty sure that the damage is irreparable, at least if we consider long term usage for the pieces. I think i'd rather buy a new lot of pieces on bricklink. I will, however, keep in consideration your suggestion, maybe I could use the "repaired" pieces for scrap models/prototypes...

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I've run into several of these, especially the oldest ones with the most use and applied stress. I also have tried gluing many of them back together. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold the best so I usually have to simply resort to buying new pieces. The broken/repaired pieces are useful on occasion, however, as they allow one to do things normally one could not\, and there are other situations on MOC's (and some sets!) where one can bypass the failure. For example, a couple of red "hands" broke on my Torch/Fire Slizer set, so I used them on the hips, where the side sockets are used and not the broken ones. I don't really have any suggestions on how to prevent the breaking of pieces, other than it happens, and usually due to stress. I feel your pain.

My Brickshelf, my Tumblr (it's not as bad as it sounds)
Current collection:
2001: 
Matoro, Onepu, Maku, Onua, Pohatu, Tahu, Lewa
2002: Tahnok, Gahlok, Lehvak, Tahnok-Va, Kohrak-Va, Gahlok-Va, Pahrak-Va, Kopaka Nuva, Gali Nuva, Lewa Nuva
2003: Panrahk, Guurahk, Turahk, Kurahk
2004: Bordakh (X2), Rorzakh, Vorzakh, Matau, Whenua

2005: Oohnorak, Rahaga Iruini, Rahagah Norik
2006: Dalu, Velika, Vezok, Reidak, Vezon and Fenrakk

2007Dekar, Defilak, Morak, Takadox
2008: Gorast, Rockoh T3, Axalara T9
2009Tarduk, Skrall, Tarix, Malum, Gresh, Mata Nui, Vastus, Stronius, Tuma, Fero and Skirmix, Baranus V7, Kaxium V3, Cendox V1, Thornatus V9
2010: Tahu

2015: Kopaka, Pohatu, Lewa, Vizuna, Skull Basher

2016: Tahu
Throwbot/Slizer collection:
1999: Torch/Fire, Scuba/Sub, Ski/Ice, Turbo/City, Amazon/Jungle, Granite/Rock, Electro/Energy, Jet/Judge
2000: Blaster, Millennium/Millennia, Flare, Spark

Star Wars Collectible Figures: Death Trooper, Sergeant Jyn Erso, K-2SO, Baze Malbus

I also have the Onyx Roborider and Jimi Stinger froBreakout.

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I've run into several of these, especially the oldest ones with the most use and applied stress. I also have tried gluing many of them back together. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold the best so I usually have to simply resort to buying new pieces. The broken/repaired pieces are useful on occasion, however, as they allow one to do things normally one could not\, and there are other situations on MOC's (and some sets!) where one can bypass the failure. For example, a couple of red "hands" broke on my Torch/Fire Slizer set, so I used them on the hips, where the side sockets are used and not the broken ones. I don't really have any suggestions on how to prevent the breaking of pieces, other than it happens, and usually due to stress. I feel your pain.

  

This happens to me a lot, too. It's like watching ancient statues slowly crack and whither away.

Heh,I bet you weren't the only one to feel my pain KopakasKK, my Nooo was heard throughout all the building. I was really desperate when I returned home and found out what happened. Master Inika's ancient statues, for me precious relics from a "time before time" were (and still are) crumbled to pieces....the point is that I couldn't even see them slowly cracking and prevent the disaster so, witnessing all of that decay in an instant was too much for me.... men, i really may be too sensible but I'm so bound to those sets, they carry on them the weight of so many memories, good memories.

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I've run into several of these, especially the oldest ones with the most use and applied stress. I also have tried gluing many of them back together. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold the best so I usually have to simply resort to buying new pieces. The broken/repaired pieces are useful on occasion, however, as they allow one to do things normally one could not\, and there are other situations on MOC's (and some sets!) where one can bypass the failure. For example, a couple of red "hands" broke on my Torch/Fire Slizer set, so I used them on the hips, where the side sockets are used and not the broken ones. I don't really have any suggestions on how to prevent the breaking of pieces, other than it happens, and usually due to stress. I feel your pain.

This happens to me a lot, too. It's like watching ancient statues slowly crack and whither away.

Heh,I bet you weren't the only one to feel my pain KopakasKK, my Nooo was heard throughout all the building. I was really desperate when I returned home and found out what happened. Master Inika's ancient statues, for me precious relics from a "time before time" were (and still are) crumbled to pieces....the point is that I couldn't even see them slowly cracking and prevent the disaster so, witnessing all of that decay in an instant was too much for me.... men, i really may be too sensible but I'm so bound to those sets, they carry on them the weight of so many memories, good memories.
Get the humidifier.
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Hey I got a Flickr because I like making LEGO stuff.

https://www.flickr.com/people/toatimelord/
 

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This is why I have trust issues.

is that sidoraks blade?

 

Yep, the Herding Blade. This might explain why his aim was so bad in WoS...

 

(Removed the images because they're bigger than I thought they'd be.)

"You are an absolute in these uncertain times. Your past is forgotten, and your
future is an empty book. You must find your own destiny, my brave adventurer.
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-- Turaga Nokama

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  • 3 weeks later...

Ok, I think I finally managed to determine the cause of the disaster. It appears that all of the sets that fell to pieces were the ones that I washed about an year ago. At the time I searched the internet to find suggestions on how to clean up the dusty sets (the very,very dusty ones) and many recommended, in forums and youtube, to wash them with water and soap. So I washed all of my favorite sets, because they were to ones to be exposed on the shelf, and than proceeded to carefully wiped them to get them dry. Some joints were loose but i thought that was only a temporary effect.....well, apparently it was temporary until the pieces broke. You may think that it was stupid to wash the sets, and you'd be right, but every video/discussion/topic I followed suggested it as the best method to clean up the sets.

 

So, long story short, I'm here to "testify" against this cleaning procedure that, eventually, led only to a minor heart attack and the expenditure of many euro. If you had positive outcomes with this this type of cleaning, please reply, maybe the real cause of the breaking of the pieces is something else and this was only an unfortunate event?

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You washed your LEGOs with soap.

Oh god no!

The oil of the soap can increase dry for if they are not dried ammeditly.

 

The best way to clean dust is canned air and if you have to use water fill a bathtub with room temperature water and a quarter cup of vinegar or bleach (for the love of Lego don't mix the two toghter)

Soak for ten minutes ammeditly dry.

Edited by Chief TimeLord of Tesara

Hey I got a Flickr because I like making LEGO stuff.

https://www.flickr.com/people/toatimelord/
 

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You washed your LEGOs with soap.

Oh god no!

The oil of the soap can increase dry for if they are not dried ammeditly.

The best way to clean dust is canned air and if you have to use water fill a bathtub with room temperature water and a quarter cup of vinegar or bleach (for the love of Lego don't mix the two toghter)

Soak for ten minutes ammeditly.

 

I'll be sure to follow this procedure next time i want to clean the dusty sets. For the others I'll buy a gas duster for the maintenance routines. I really don't know what to say, at the time everyone was suggesting water and soap, I'm sure of it, i searched for some time before i tried to clean the sets. Anyway, thanks for the advice!

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  • 3 months later...

Incredibly useful sollutions here. I've noticed the black joint pieces on my own Bionicles cracking at the mid axel point as well. Especially on my Toa Mata and Bohrok, and I do hate to see those wither away to nothing. Brinklink is always an option should it come to that, but a humidifier sounds like the way to go. I live in Australia, down south, though it's usually pretty humid where I live (rain forests and mountains) but I still cant escape the damaging warmth.
Cheers for the suggestions guys! I'll probably have to buy replacement pieces anyway, but at least it can be prevented.

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No problem.

I'm happy to share my 18+ years of Lego knowledge.

Thanks for your tips. I've noticed that on some of my older sets, they've been cracking a bit, but I should be able to prevent it from happening to the newer ones by having a humidifier in my room and keeping my room somewhat cool.

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