Aldi Screw in Pegs (Pile driver) - should the plastic tops spin on the peg ?

lyndeelu · Member

Aldi Screw in Pegs (Pile driver) - should the plastic tops spin on the peg ?

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome to the Forum Lyndeelu.

I am unfamiliar with Aldi screw pegs - We use traditional pegs - with regard to being trip hazard we utilise yellow pool noodles in sections, then split to slide over tent pegs and ropes. Be aware though playful magpies will come and try to take the yellow "toys" their endeavors' are great fun to watch.

lyndeelu · Member

Thanks Possum - I imagine the maggies are a delight to watch. Mind you - I travel with a dog - and he would love to join in.

watsea · Guru

I am sorry, I cannot answer whether the tops of the Aldi pegs spin or not. I saw them at Aldi but did not look in detail at them.
Some years ago, I bought some value for money screw pegs at Bunnings. The tops of those pegs spin though there is slight resistance. ie spin enough to hold the loop of rope while the peg is screwed with a drill. Websearch finds the pegs are still on the Bunnings website.
See attached link:
www.bunnings.com.au/jack-screw-in-tent-pegs-15-pack_p3042468

Possum3 · Guru

Aha! Watsea's link to photo of Bunning's pegs helped. Those type of pegs are designed to suit the tag loops on hiking tents and such when pegging tent base to ground.

Most guy ropes (for tents and awnings) have a hitch loop in rope tensioned by a piece of wood/plastic with two holes - and are meant to go over the angled top of a traditional peg (shaped like a "7"), the reasoning for this is the rope can slide around the peg to allow tensioning.

lyndeelu · Member

Thanks Watsea - I spotted the Bunnings one today. I printed the info off then forgot to take it with me when I visited Bunnings today.

The description you give, where you can hold on to the plastic hook with the guy rope attached while screwing in the peg is what I expected. It doesn'thappen.

I have even tried holding the screw in a vice, then attempting to spin the plastic bit - but no luck. As I said, it doesn't make sense that the hook and screw must revolve together.

I'll take the Bunnings ad with me and have a look when I come across a Bunnings with stock whilst travelling. Thanks again.

lyndeelu · Member

Yes Possum - but usually I would drive the peg mostly in, then attach the guy to the angled end and tighten the guy - then drive the peg in further such that you can't get the guy off without pulling the peg slightly out of the ground. Because on the Aldi screw pegs, the plastic hook rotates with the screw - it's impossible to attach the guy and then screw the peg in a bit further. The hook bit turns with the screw and the guy falls off. (or winds around the screw. )

kevin m · Member

I took the plastic of and ground off the small metal tangs and also drilled out the plastic so that they now spin on the peg I also put a flat washer on the peg between the hex top and plastic much better now

lyndeelu · Member

Thanks kevin.. how did you get the plastic off tho? Another bloke suggested just using some big washers to act as the hook for guy rope end Seems like the easiest solution. Thanks again. Tho i have no ide still why on earth the provide the pegs with hooks that are fixed inplace. Odd!

lyndeelu · Member

Thanks kevin.. how did you get the plastic off tho? Another bloke suggested just using some big washers to act as the hook for guy rope end Seems like the easiest solution. Thanks again. Tho i have no ide still why on earth the provide the pegs with hooks that are fixed inplace. Odd!

Fred K · Veteran Member

I just put the plastic part in a vice and then with a socket / spinner turn until the plastic wears a pathway and then attach a drill and spin it until it turns freely

lyndeelu · Member

Thanks Fred - I did actually try that - but after spending quite a while on the first one and not getting a lot of spin - I decided that it was a lot of work ... The Aldi box set wasn't that expensive and that I would try again. Only of course to find the 2nd box was the same as the first - with immovable (on the shaft) plastic bits.

kevin m · Member

held the metal shaft in a vice then put a tube socket on the bolt head and hit it down/ off then ground off the tangs on the shaft and cleaned up inside the plastic with drill

lyndeelu · Member

Thanks again Kevin. Isn't it nuts to have to go this effort to get a working product!

-- Edited by lyndeelu on Thursday 18th of May 2023 08:33:06 PM

Possum3 · Guru

lyndeelu wrote:
Thanks again Kevin. Isn't it nuts to have to go this effort to get a working product!

Sorry, It is the wrong type of peg for your intended use - they are great for their intended use.

lyndeelu · Member

Umm - how aare they they wrong pegs Possum?

Possum3 · Guru

lyndeelu wrote:
Umm - how aare they they wrong pegs Possum?

They don't work as you want to use them - The type you bought are meant for using with elasticised tags on tents or lightweight adjustable guys.

There are pegs available that have the plastic hook/top that turn - at BCF and K Mart.

lyndeelu · Member

Sorry Possum, but I don't really see the difference between a guy rope for a tent and a guy rope for a van awning - except possibly the weight of the rope. In each case, the user drives a peg into the ground, attaches a hook or loop to an angle on the peg and then tightens the guy.

The same issue exists for a tent guy as for the awning guy. If the peg is screwed into the ground all the way, there's no way to put the rope onto the peg.

Possum3 · Guru

Elasticised tent tags place the load (on the peg) horizontally at ground level and therefore would place a turning moment on the "hook" of the peg, therefore immobile pegs are designed to suit. You will note the swiveling topped pegs are usually labeled with a photo of a hiking tent on packaging, not a caravan awning.

Tent pegs are made by the millions usually at overseas Countries - They are made to suit their type of tents. Remember Caravanning and large cottage tent camping is not usual in Europe and Asia where small hiking style of tents is the norm.

Pegs with swiveling tops being sold by discount stores are purchased in bulk by them, usually by some accountant in their overseas based Company which providores for the Worldwide network of outlets. The aim is to purchase any product at the lowest possible price as a price leader enticement, not to provide a quality product particularly suited to that Country's unique market.

lyndeelu · Member

Thanks Possum - I believe I understand what you are saying, but can't really agree. For instance, tent poles on either end require a more vertical guy than horizontal and the same pegs/guys are used for both side and end guys. In any event the same issue arises - if you screw the pegs into the ground - you can't get the guy rope loop under the hook. If you try to attach the rope and then screw it further in - the hook turns with the screw and winds up the rope. Not desirable. Anyway - I appreciate your comments and input thanks

Possum3 · Guru

Hiking tent usually don't have "Poles" rather flexible rods attached to tent corners - sometimes called "Dome Tents". - different market.

Whenarewethere · Guru

You could knock up some of your own. Aluminium with 316 stainless ends to keep weight down.

lyndeelu · Member

Bloke I was chatting with, showed me his very large coach bolts (?). He puts a large washer on and the guy hooks under the washer! I plan on investigating what appears to be a terrific/easy idea.

Thanks

watsea · Guru

lyndeelu wrote:
Bloke I was chatting with, showed me his very large coach bolts (?). He puts a large washer on and the guy hooks under the washer! I plan on investigating what appears to be a terrific/easy idea.
Thanks

Yep. I have heard of that option. I didn't bother to check cost comparison to the screw pegs that I had already bought at Bunnings. Maybe later if I need to get more.

Godbeerm · Newbie

Hi yes totally agree I'm a full time traveller and have been using the bunnings screw in pegs for a few years when they get rusty I remove the plastic and soake them in wd40 for a few days to clean them up .

They were getting very old so I bought two packs of the Aldi ones nearly broke my fingers when the top spun I have still been using the old bunnings ones until I can get a chance to remove the tops of the Aldi ones and drill them out.

snap1946 · Senior Member

i spray mine with wd 40 and hold while i spin with the drill they are free for ages then mine are aldi ones