In detail: do-it-yourself repair of a plastic zipper from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.
The life of a modern housewife is made easier by household helpers: a washing machine, a dishwasher, a microwave oven and other appliances.
However, not all issues can be resolved with their help. For example, fixing garments requires manual labor.
The author of the article, Rozaliya Khamitova, publishes tips for a home craftsman on affordable ways to repair a zipper lock with his own hands on clothes, shoes or a bag with a demonstration of them with explanatory pictures and a video.
The zipper is popular for its simplicity and convenience. It is often found on clothing, shoes and bags.
The zipper consists of:
two strips of fabric;
lock (slider);
rings;
pendants (dog, keychain, duper);
links;
limiters;
pins;
a detachable limiter with a socket;
sealing tape.
Two textile belts with attached zipper links and a stopper on each are assembled with a lock in a common engagement with teeth.
If you pull on the dog with your fingers, the slider begins to slide along the links of the braid, connects the teeth in turn, fixes them together: the lock closes. The limiter determines the dog's range of motion.
When the suspension lock moves back, the links are disengaged and the zipper is released.
Manufacturers produce three link connection designs:
A spiral (twisted) fastener is a plastic spiral or spring that is sewn or wound onto the base of the braid fabric. It is used in the production of lightweight clothing and bedding.
The tractor fastener gets its name from its similarity to a tractor track. She has each Even clove made of plastic and separately fixed on a fabric base. The compound is used in outerwear.
Video (click to play).
The metal clasp is similar in shape to the tractor clasp. At the heart of her lock is a flat wire. The links are made of metal (nickel or brass) and are attached separately with a clip. The design is characterized by increased durability; it is used for sewing leather goods, boots and outerwear.
The most durable in use are metal zippers. Tractor fasteners are highly wear-resistant, while spiral fasteners have good elasticity.
Locks are made to match each link of the fastener with different ways of its work.
Each type of zipper uses a certain type of lock.
The number of the slider corresponds to the width of the links, measured in mm between the teeth when the zipper is closed. They are marked with a number on the back. The shape of the sole is determined from the seamy part of the lock.
By the way they work, the runners are divided into:
an automatic machine, the mechanism of which does not allow the links to diverge regardless of the position of the dog;
a semiautomatic device that allows unbuttoning only when the dog is in the raised position. The design includes a special lock;
haberdashery: there is no stopper, and the links are not blocked. This allows the zipper to move freely without any fastening.
The most common cause of fastener breakage is wear of the inner cavities of the runner, when the mechanism cannot connect the links, and the zipper diverges.
Dangers exposed to lightning on:
shoes, as sand and dirt are clogged in them;
jackets and outerwear, when they are fastened with jerks with brute force;
as well as all plastic parts subject to sudden temperature changes.
The castle falls into disrepair due to:
erasing the surface and increasing the gap between the side walls and links;
the formation of microcracks after prolonged operation;
mechanical breakdown due to careless handling, when the dog is jerked with great force;
the penetration of dust and dirt between the links and the lock, which begins to slow down the sliding of the runner;
breakage of the dog, transmitting the force of the hand to the zipper lock.
If the lightning begins to disperse, then you can try to fix the lock yourself.
There are two simple methods:
tighten the increased gap with pliers;
bring the edges together with a hammer.
To do this, close the zipper and tighten the side parts of the slider from the ends on the outer and inner sides of the lock.
The gap between the teeth will move closer together: the lightning will stop diverging. Work must be done carefully so as not to pinch or break the slider.
The space for tightening the sides of the lock is limited. Therefore, it is more convenient to work with a tool with long and narrow jaws - platypuses.
Oleg Ars talks about this method in more detail in his video.
You can fix the defects of the lock by lightly tapping the edges with a small hammer, avoiding hits on the central part.
Below it is necessary to provide a rigid stop: you can put a flat solid object or plate. In order not to accidentally hit the middle part of the lock, it is recommended to additionally use the upper stop. This method works better with metal zippers.
The same principle is used to repair the runner with a small hand vice.
However, all these methods require great care and accuracy. It is quite easy to exceed the mechanical force and break the lock: it will need to be replaced.
If, after an attempt at an unsuccessful repair, a breakdown occurs, then you will need to look for a new part that is suitable in size and design, and then replace it with a broken one.
First you need to determine the characteristics and type of faulty slider. Its number is indicated on the reverse side. It can simply be measured with a regular ruler.
The classification of runners is detailed above. However, when visiting a store, it is necessary to have a sample of the broken part, as well as a clear understanding of the type of fastener.
After choosing and buying a lock, they begin to replace it. To get the job done, you need a simple tool:
open the zipper to the end;
remove the limiter on one side;
close the zipper and remove the slider from the side where there are no limiters;
insert a new slider;
lightly squeeze the removed stopper with pliers and install in its original place;
thread the ends of the tape.
Each type of fastener design has its own specificity.
They should use side cutters with a screwdriver to remove the upper stop on the right side and try to replace the slider. Thickening of the webbing can interfere with this work.
In this situation, the tissue is cut with the tips of the scissors. Through the incision made, the slider is carefully inserted with slight swaying. The place of the cut on the braid is reinforced with two stitches of thread or a limiter is installed on it.
In such a fastener, the slider is usually well inserted through the restraints; it is not necessary to remove them.
If the limiter interferes, then you will have to remove it, and after replacing the lock, install a metal or homemade analogue. All actions are performed with the fastener unbuttoned.
The scheme for replacing the slider with fasteners of this type is no different from the usual method. It is described above.
There are several simple ways to treat surfaces with lubrication:
You can rub the cloves on both sides with a regular paraffin candle or beeswax. The zipper can be closed or divorced.
The paraffin wax will fill the voids between the teeth. The slider will slide more freely.
It is recommended to observe the color color, carefully handle the zipper teeth with a slate. The pencil should be soft; a 3M or 4M mark is best suited for drawing.
Lubricating the zipper with wax or pencil lead makes it easier to slide, protects against external influences and increases the life of the slider. However, graphite can penetrate and contaminate clothing.
In order for a clasp with a lock to serve as long as possible, it is enough to adhere to simple rules:
carefully use the dog, do not expose it to harsh stress;
do not bend the zipper during storage;
if the metal fastener diverges, then try to adjust the course of its lock with pliers or a hammer;
do not allow contact of the fastener made of plastic when ironing the linen with a hot iron;
fasten the lock for the period of washing the linen until it touches the stopper;
use wax or pencil lead as a preventative lubricant in the early stages of wear on the buckle lock.
To consolidate the material, I recommend watching the video by Vladimir Zverev "Replacing the zipper on a jacket".
