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How to fix different parts of the zipper and the necessary tools with your own hands. How to fix a zipper on clothes with your own hands

These are clothes and shoes, bags and covers, a lot of other equally useful things. Do you know what underlies its principle of action?

Few people know that an ordinary bird gave the world the idea for its implementation. More precisely - a feather of a bird. Even more precisely - the principle of connecting the elements of the pen into a single plane. This is an alternating engagement of the feather villi, which ultimately forms a single whole.
The same thing happens in the usual "lightning". When it is fastened, the elements of one edge engage with the elements of the other edge with the help of a lock or, in other words, a “runner”. The elements can be plastic or metal staples or teeth fixed at one end to a strip of fabric. Plastic variant may be cast (which is called "tractor") or twisted ("spiral").

The weakest link in this whole fastening device is usually the lock, or “slider”. Its malfunction can manifest itself in the breakdown of the "tongue" - a device that we clamp with our fingers. The mechanism that holds the slider closed may break, and then it will unfasten. In addition, a malfunction can manifest itself in the divergence of the halves of the zipper when you try to fasten it. In the latter case, many advise to tighten the halves of the castle to each other.

Zipper repair by pressing the slider

First you can try to tighten the lock without removing the slider.

Find pliers, you can use wire cutters, or even a hammer

Find a place near the fastener where the inner space is empty, and not where the partition is. This is the part closer to the bottom of the jacket, as a rule.

Try to squeeze this edge with pliers to such an extent that the upper and lower walls touch each other with an edge.

After releasing the pliers, you will see that the edges will again move away for some distance, but already less.

Try to check the fastening of the zipper, if it starts to fasten, then everything is fine ...

koposhilki.ru

If the zipper is still not very well fastened, then you will have to remove the slider ...

To remove a faulty lock, it is necessary to remove the limiter on one or both halves of the fasteners. On one - if the lightning has a detachable connection at the bottom. The limiter is most often a metal bracket that prevents the “dog” from jumping out of the band with teeth.

This bracket will need to be carefully unbent with an awl or a thin screwdriver and completely removed from the strip of fabric-base of the "zipper".

After the limiter is removed, the slider is taken out through the zippers upwards. We see that it is really distorted and therefore the lightning does not work...

We clamp the slider with pliers, correct its curvature

Pressing on one side and the other

We put the corrected slider on a zipper

Putting the limiter in place

And we clamp it with pliers.

Checking if the zipper is closed...

ladyzest.com

It happens that there is no limiter on the zipper, and the fold of the fastener fabric with subsequent firmware serves as the limiter. In this case, the edge must be cut.. If this is difficult to do, then you can proceed as follows:

We will need small pliers (or nail clippers, or a flathead screwdriver) and large pliers

We introduce the flat end of the tool (screwdriver, for example) under the clamp of the slider and squeeze it slightly,

So that it can be easily removed from the zipper.

Insert the pliers into the slider as shown here to widen it a bit.

Just don't overdo it or you'll break it.

Then we insert the zipper slider again ...

And then, with small pliers or nail clippers, gently press the sides

After such manipulations, the lock simply has to work: o)

Replacing the slider with a zipper

Pressing the lock, of course, is a useful thing ...
But such resuscitation can be carried out only once, the castle will no longer withstand and will fall apart completely. Therefore, if you managed to save your lightning once, then try to prepare a spare slider - just in case of a fire.

It is possible to qualitatively repair such a fastener on clothes or shoes without completely replacing it, only by replacing the entire lock. Even on a high-quality fastener, it fails first of all, since a constant physical effort is applied to it, and its area is relatively small compared to the area of all the teeth.

To determine which lock you need to purchase, you need to know several parameters. On the back of your "dog" look and remember the number that is stamped there. These can be numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, which indicate the width of the fastener in millimeters.

Determine the type of lock: it can be automatic - a mechanism that will not allow the clasp to unfasten in any position is inside; semi-automatic - unfastening is possible only with a raised "tongue"; haberdashery - when the teeth of the lightning are not blocked, and there is no stopper in the mechanism.

It must be remembered that sliders change on metal and plastic zippers of outerwear. On trousers and skirts, the replacement of the dog is impossible due to the specifics.
The zipper unzips and the slider remains on one half of the zipper. The upper limiter is carefully removed with a screwdriver and pliers. If the edge of the zipper next to the stopper is very close to the fabric, then it will need to be slightly undercut (this is rare).
The zipper itself needs to be fastened. After that, without much effort, completely remove the lock from the side of the removed limiters. Install the new lock in place of the old one, tucking the edges of the guide tape into the “dog” grooves. After the lock is installed, use pliers to clamp, putting in place, metal stops or sew on the ripped fabric.

The best way to get the correct slider is when buying a new one is to have a sample of the old one. Side cutters are required for its installation. As well as “limiters” for the slider, so that it does not fly off at the top of the lightning. They are also sold in sewing stores. If you are unlucky enough to get "limiters", then you can remove them from an old metal zipper, for example, from jeans.

With side cutters, “bite” the plastic limiter at the top of the zipper (remove the metal one with a screwdriver)

And take it off. On the other hand, do the same.

This shows that the sliders have one shape. Colored runners are not sold in our sewing stores, so we will limit ourselves to what we have.

Now gently put the slider on slightly swinging up and down.

Replace the plastic stopper with a metal one.

And carefully clamp with side cutters. On the other hand, do the same.

Replacing the slider without effort and at home is made.

Workshop of Alena Maslova

And very good video

In detail: do-it-yourself plastic zipper repair from a real master for a website website.

The life of a modern housewife is facilitated by household assistants: washing and dishwasher, microwave and other appliances.

However, not all issues can be solved with their help. For example, mending garments requires manual labor.

The author of the article Rozalia Khamitova publishes tips home master on available ways repairing a zipper lock with your own hands on clothes, shoes or a bag with a demonstration of their explanatory pictures and a video.

The zipper is popular for its simplicity and convenience. It is often found on clothes, shoes and bags.

The zipper consists of:

two strips of fabric;
castle (runner);
rings;
pendants (dog, keychain, duper);
links;
limiters;
pins;
detachable limiter with a socket;
sealing tape.

Two textile bands with zipper links attached and a limiter on each are assembled by a lock into a common engagement with teeth.

If you pull the pawl with your fingers, then 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 range of movement of the pawl.

With the reverse movement of the lock with the suspension, the links disengage, and the zipper unzips.

Manufacturers produce three link connection designs:

A spiral (twisted) fastener is a plastic spiral or spring that is sewn or wound on the base of the braid fabric. It is used in the production of light clothing and bed linen.

The tractor fastener got its name from its resemblance to a tractor track. She has each clove of even made of plastic and separately fixed on a fabric base. The connection is used in outerwear.

The metal clasp is similar in shape to a 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 clamp. The design is characterized by increased strength, it is used when sewing leather products, boots and outerwear.

The most durable in operation are metal zippers. Tractor fasteners are highly wear-resistant, and spiral fasteners have good elasticity.

Locks are made according to the appearance of each link of the fastener with different ways of its operation.

Each type of zipper uses a specific 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 wrong side of the castle.

According to 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 pawl;
semi-automatic, allowing unfastening only when the pawl is raised. The design includes a special latch;
haberdashery: there is no stopper, and the links are not blocked. This allows the slider to move freely along the zipper without any fastening.

The most common cause of fastener breakage is the wear of the internal cavities of the slider, when the mechanism cannot connect the links, and the zipper diverges.

Dangers are exposed to lightning on:

shoes, as sand and dirt are clogged in them;
jackets and outerwear when they are fastened with brute force jerks;
as well as all plastic parts subjected to sudden changes in temperature.

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 failure due to careless handling, when the dog is pulled sharply with great force;
penetration of dust and dirt between the links and the lock, which begins to slow down the sliding of the slider;
breakage of the pawl, which transfers the force of the hand to the zipper lock.

If the lightning begins to diverge, then you can try to fix the lock with your own hands.

There are two simple methods:

tighten the increased gap with pliers;
bring the edges closer with a hammer blow.

To do this, close the zipper and press the side parts of the slider from the ends on the outer and inner sides of the lock.

The gap between the teeth will get closer: the lightning will stop spreading. You must work carefully so as not to pinch or break the slider.

The place for tightening the sides of the lock is limited. Therefore, it is more convenient to work with a tool with long and narrow sponges - platypuses.

Oleg Ars tells more about this method in his video.

You can fix the defects of the lock by lightly tapping with a small hammer on its edges, avoiding hits on the central part.

From below it is necessary to provide a hard 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 is best suited for metal zippers.

The repair of the slider with a small hand vise is based on the same principle.

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 unsuccessful repair attempt, 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 the faulty slider. Its number is indicated on the reverse side. It can be simply measured with a regular ruler.

The classification of runners is discussed in detail above. However, when visiting the store, you must have a sample of the broken part, as well as a clear idea of the type of fastener.

Surely many of you have broken the lock - lightning. Lightning is a popular fastener, especially detachable lightning, convenient, but alas, sometimes it breaks. And it is precisely the part that breaks that is located below and which is inserted into the counterpart, where it is fixed. What to do if you don’t want to change the lock, yes, sometimes it’s not so easy (it can be very inconveniently sewn), but you want to wear a jacket with a zipper. This happens especially often with children's jackets and sweaters. Children pull the lightning, hurry up - that's why they tear the mechanism. In order not to throw away practically new children's clothes, parents simply sew up the lower part of the castle and have to put on the jacket first over the head, like a sweater, and only then fasten it with a zipper. But this is not only inconvenient, but also not very beautiful ... You won’t let a child go to school in such a jacket, especially when he is already a teenager.

So, you don't want to sew the lock at the base and don't want (or can't) replace it. Well ... Then we fix it.

To begin with, we need a piece of iron from which we will make the part we need. We will also need superglue and a paperclip. Super glue is one that hardens very quickly and becomes “like glass”, very hard (based on cyacrolate, sold in small tubes of 1-2 grams).

So, we remove all unnecessary, after soaking the fabric with superglue. It will quickly grab and give rigidity. Carefully cut with pliers. (photo 1).

Now it's up to the main part. We cut it to size from a piece of stainless steel or tin plate (you can take it from a can of condensed milk) and fold it as shown in photo 2.

It should go well into the part of the lock that moves and be well fixed in the part that is below (photo 3). Next, we manage to fasten the lock (photo 4). This can also be done by manually connecting each clove in series. Surely, everyone did this when they tried to understand how this thing works, or when the lightning “spread” in the middle.

After that, we apply our piece of iron from the inside of the castle and put it on superglue (photos 5 and 6). Let's try to loosen it. If you did everything well, then the lock should unfasten, although, at first - until the piece of iron gets used, this can be done with some effort. Take your time, because the glue may not have time to finally grab. So, you unfastened the lock. Everything works, but this is not enough.

Now we need to strengthen our structure. We drill 2 small holes and insert a staple made from an ordinary paper clip (photo 7, 8,).

That's all now (photo 9, 10).

We finally check the operation of our lightning. For best view You can tint the gluing areas with a permanent marker. For good work, I recommend rubbing the lock with paraffin or stearin (an ordinary candle) or just soap.

Some helpful tips associated with zippers

If the lock on the zipper is tight, rub it with a stearin candle. This advice is especially effective for metal zippers. A soft pencil lead will also help. It is enough to hold them on the lightning several times.

If the zipper often spontaneously diverges in the middle - lightly tap on the lock (its edges, and not on the bracket for which the tongue is attached) with a small hammer.

Tapping the zipper itself will also help, if it is metal.

The lock will begin to walk tighter, but the lightning will stop spreading.

If the tab on the zipper has come off, it can be replaced with a regular paper clip.

If the zipper on your trousers tends to open on its own, slip a small key ring through its tongue and throw it over the button of the trousers waistband. Such a ring can also be made from a paper clip.

Zippers on shoes suffer greatly from dampness, wet and salty snow, and slush. This drastically shortens their lifespan. Run a piece of unsalted lard over them or use a special hydrophobic lubricant more often. And the lightning will be protected from moisture. Such a lubricant at the same time will improve its performance.

Obviously, the zipper is known to everyone and very popular in all its applications and manifestations.

These are clothes and shoes, bags and covers, a lot of other equally useful things. Do you know what underlies its principle of action?

Few people know that an ordinary bird gave the world the idea for its implementation. More precisely - a feather of a bird. Even more precisely - the principle of connecting the elements of the pen into a single plane. This is an alternating engagement of the feather villi, which ultimately forms a single whole.
The same thing happens in the usual "lightning". When fastening it, the elements of one edge engage with the elements of the other edge with the help of a lock or, in other words, a “runner”.

The elements may be plastic or metal staples or teeth fixed at one end to a strip of fabric. The plastic version can be cast (which is called "tractor") or twisted ("spiral").

Zipper repair by pressing the slider

First you can try to tighten the lock without removing the slider.

Find pliers, you can use wire cutters, or even a hammer

Find a place near the fastener where the inner space is empty, and not where the partition is. This is the part closer to the bottom of the jacket, as a rule.

Try to squeeze this edge with pliers to such an extent that the upper and lower walls touch each other with an edge.

After releasing the pliers, you will see that the edges will again move away for some distance, but already less.

Try to check the fastening of the zipper, if it starts to fasten, then everything is fine ...

koposhilki.ru

If the zipper is still not very well fastened, then you will have to remove the slider ...

This bracket will need to be carefully unbent with an awl or a thin screwdriver and completely removed from the strip of fabric-base of the "zipper".

After the limiter is removed, the slider is taken out through the zippers upwards. We see that it is really distorted and therefore the lightning does not work...

We clamp the slider with pliers, correct its curvature

Pressing on one side and the other

We put the corrected slider on a zipper

Putting the limiter in place

And we clamp it with pliers.

Checking if the zipper is closed...

ladyzest.com

We will need small pliers (or nail clippers, or a flathead screwdriver) and large pliers

We introduce the flat end of the tool (screwdriver, for example) under the clamp of the slider and squeeze it slightly,

So that it can be easily removed from the zipper.

Insert the pliers into the slider as shown here to widen it a bit.

Just don't overdo it or you'll break it.

Then we insert the zipper slider again ...

And then, with small pliers or nail clippers, gently press the sides

After such manipulations, the lock simply has to work: o)

Replacing the slider with a zipper

To determine which lock you need to purchase, you need to know several parameters. Sliders have different sizes - most often they are applied to the back of the clip.

For metal, sizes range from 3 to 10 or more. On the reverse side, the slider is shaped like a triangle.
The slider of tractor lightning from the inside has the shape of a trefoil or oval, and are designated No. 3 and beyond.
For twisted zippers, the slider shape is only oval, numbers from 3 onwards.

The letter designations that are embossed next to the numbers indicate the following:

X - one-piece zipper, cast, 2 locks;
L - the clasp does not unfasten, lock 1;
H - one-piece lightning, lock 2;
D - fully open clasp, 2 locks with 2 slots;
A - lock without connector;
B - connector with 1 lock;
C - connector, 2 locks.

How to distinguish runners:

Also determine the type of lock: it happens

automatic - the mechanism inside the dog does not allow the teeth to diverge at any position of its tongue;
semi-automatic - unfastening is possible only with the “tongue” raised - after the zipper is fastened, you need to fix a special stopper, when the puller is raised, the lock will disperse;
haberdashery - when the teeth of the lightning are not blocked, and there is no stopper in the mechanism.

Why the lightning lock diverges: reasons

The zipper is called differently:

"snake"
zipper
clasp

It is one of the types of fasteners, which is designed to quickly connect parts of clothing. Modern designers are developing new versions of zippers with improved latches to prevent possible breakages. However, a model that would never break, unfortunately, has not yet been created. And over time, most of the "snakes" begin to diverge.

In order to understand the causes of the trouble that happened, you need to understand how such a fastener is arranged and what is the principle of its operation. "Snake" consists of two textile tapes with links (cloves) attached to them. These links are staggered and can be:

plastic
metal
kapron (flexible, on a thin fabric basis with spiral staples)

The teeth are connected to each other using a lock, which has different names:

slider
"dog"
slider
carriage

The principle of operation of such a fastener is as follows:

the slider slides along the tape, connecting the links together, like puzzles
each link is fixed by two links on the opposite side

Possible reasons why the teeth on the zipper do not connect:

the slider is unclenched and does not fit snugly to the braid
the shape of one of the elements is broken
runner has broken
the teeth on the clasp are broken or deformed
thread or fabric stuck in the clasp
dirt has accumulated between the links (often this problem happens with shoes)

How to unzip a zipper if it has come apart, what to do so that the lock does not diverge: tips

Sometimes on a zipper that has come apart, the slider gets stuck at the top or in the middle. What can be done in such a case?

The technology depends on the type of zipper.

Detachable (used on sweaters, jackets or other outerwear):

insert the lower ends of the fastener into the square retainer
take the dog by its base, not by its decorative keychain
pressing the slider to the links, smoothly and slowly, lead it down
Hold the clasp with your other hand
reaching the latch, carefully hook it with the slider
unzip

One-piece (sewn into jeans, skirts, trousers, bags, wallets):

release the tabs on the top of the clasp
smoothly slide the slider to the edge of the braid
try not to get the fabric between the teeth and the dog
remove the carriage from the zipper

Now check if the clasp can be repaired. For this:

manually connect the lower ends of the fastener
with the other hand, grasp the base of the slider
holding the lower end, slowly move the "dog" up the zipper
if during this action the links of the lightning did not connect, it must be replaced

In the event that adhesion between the links of the fastener does occur, there are chances to repair the zipper yourself. It happens that lightning diverges from above. Especially often this problem occurs with jeans or skirts.

AT emergency cases this way can help:

thread a rubber band or wire ring into the dog
fasten the "snake"
put an elastic band (ring) on a button
thread the button through the buttonhole

In order for the zipper to serve you for a long time and not break, use it correctly:

do not pull the “dog” with all your strength and do not pull it back when fastening / unfastening
before fastening the zipper, straighten the sides of the product so that there are no stretched areas
in cases where the lock is too tight, lubricate it with a suitable product or rub the teeth with a graphite pencil
avoid putting too much pressure on the clasp (buy clothes that aren't too tight, don't carry too many things in your bag)
periodically clean the clasp from dirt with a brush
always zip up before washing and turn garment inside out
fold things in such a way that the zipper does not bend
when ironing clothes, avoid touching the fastener with a hot iron

How to quickly fix a metal zipper if it diverges or the slider has fallen off?

A metal zipper is considered the most reliable and durable, since its teeth (brass or nickel) are located on a fairly dense material and are connected to each other especially firmly.

However, it also has a number of disadvantages:

scratches fingers
runner often gets stuck
clings to fabric threads

In order to repair a broken clasp, you first need to determine the cause of the breakdown. In the case when the slider is to blame, you can make a quick repair like this:

prepare thin pliers (pliers) or non-sharp tongs
carefully examine the slider to determine the location of the voids and partitions inside it
using pliers, carefully press both sides of the pawl against the links of the fastener
do it top and bottom
fasten the "snake"
squeeze the base of the slider slightly towards the center
do not overdo it, press lightly so as not to break the lock and not make it unnecessarily tight

Sometimes metal lightning begins to diverge due to the deformation of the links. At the initial stage, it is easy to correct the situation:

lay the item on a hard surface
lightly tap with a hammer along the entire length
do it from outside and inside
go through this a few times

If the “snake” diverges in only one place, this means that the teeth are especially damaged in this area. You can fix it like this:

zip up the zipper
in the area where the links diverge, connect them with your hands
lightly pressing with pliers, align the problem teeth

In the event that the links are damaged or missing at the bottom of the "snake", you can do the following:

on one-piece - make a few stitches over the missing teeth. In this case, the fastener will only open up to this sewn section. Check if this length will be enough for you for comfortable use.
on a detachable one - change the lower limiter on which the slider rests. To do this, remove it, helping yourself with pliers. Replace it with a limiter that is larger. It will close the hole from the missing link.

Sometimes a dog flies off the zipper, and it becomes impossible to use the thing. This problem is also fixable.

When the slider flew off completely:

slightly support the seam with which the fastener is sewn to the product
pull out the ends on one side
using tweezers, an awl or small scissors, open the stoppers at the top or bottom of the zipper (where it is more convenient) and remove them from the fabric base
thread the ends of the ribbon inside the slider
move it a little along the zipper
put the fasteners back in place

When the slider flew off only on one side:

from the edge that is not attached to the braid, slightly open the slider with tongs to increase the gap between its walls
put it down
carefully thread the teeth of the fastener into the slider
make sure that they are evenly spaced, without tension and bends
lightly press the edges of the slider
in the case when it is impossible to unclench the walls of the "dog":
remove the stopper on one side of the clasp
put on a doggy
put the limiter back

In the event that the slider is broken and cannot be replaced, it must be replaced. When buying a new one, please note that its shape and size must match the configuration of the fastener. On the reverse side of the "dog" are the dimensions in millimeters. If the lock is lost, then it is better to take the zipper with you to the store to avoid the wrong purchase.

Please note that it will be much easier to insert the slider onto the “snake” if you pre-lubricate it:

vegetable oil
paraffin candles
unsalted lard
toilet soap

Use literally a drop of the selected product so as not to clog the slider and links, and also not to stain the product.

How to quickly fix a plastic zipper if it diverges or the slider has fallen off?

Manufacturers most often use for their products a zipper made of plastic, which is sometimes called "tractor". It is not as strong as metal, but it has, in comparison with it, a number of advantages:

does not cling
easier to fasten
weighs less
has a variety of colors

However, the disadvantages of a plastic fastener are that it breaks faster and the slider “flies” from it more often.

When the plastic zipper is just starting to come apart, do the following:

unfasten the clasp
treat the cloves with a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution of rosin
let dry for several hours

If this method did not help to correct the situation, then the slider is most likely damaged. It is unlikely that it will be possible to press it with pliers, since the plastic can simply burst. Therefore, the best way out is to replace the "dog". This is done in the same way as in the case of a metal lightning, taking into account some points:

latches that are removed from the clasp to replace the "dog", simply glue to the original place
in cases where this cannot be done, make a few stitches in place of the limiters with threads of a suitable color, which will hold the slider
if the base on a one-piece zipper is damaged, lubricate this place with a colorless varnish and let it dry completely
in the case when several teeth fell out on the nylon “snake” or they are badly damaged, sew this area with fishing line, winding the turns
it is usually not possible to insert a "dog" into thin nylon zippers, since it is too small. Therefore, it is better to take clothes with such locks to the studio, where you can easily replace the fastener with a new one.

In emergency cases, when there is no possibility of buying a new slider, and there is nothing to replace the thing on which the clasp has broken, you can try the following:

use a lighter to heat the slider
under the influence of heat, its walls will become a little softer
firmly squeeze the edges of the slider

However, it must be said that this method is not very reliable due to the risk of damaging the fabric of the thing or the zipper itself.

How to quickly fix a hidden zipper if it diverges or the slider has fallen off?

The hidden zipper is a relatively recent invention that is used for flowy and light fabrics or hidden pockets. It does not bulge the fabric on clothes and therefore is almost imperceptible to the eye. The main problem with this type of fastener is that the fabric often gets between the halves of the snake.

If a hidden zipper has broken or a slider has flown off it, then in most cases it, unfortunately, cannot be repaired. You can try the fixes above, but the best way- Sew on a new zipper.