Zipper confusion

[Pipsissewa]

I'm trying to put together an on-line order to make another hammock. I'm SO confused about what kind of zipper to order to make a hammock with an attached bug net. Coil, reversible, dual, two-way, separating, heavy-duty, make-a-zipper, on and on...

What EXACTLY is the right kind of zipper for a hammock CALLED??!?!? Can ANY zipper be made to open in the middle by adding a pull going the other way?!? Please help me!!!! (Remember to "dumb it down" for the notion-challenged!)

THANKS, brothers and sisters!!!

[hangnout]

Not a zipper expert but this is what I used

http://www.diygearsupply.com/cgi-bin/shelf.cgi?numb=43

Copied from website

#3 YKK Continuous Coil Zipper and Sliders.

Coil: Lightweight zipper coil for your backpacking gear. Ideal for adding bug-netting to your hammocks, for sleeping bags, bivy sacks, etc. Black coil. Sold by the foot, change quantity in cart to desired length. Zipper Coil does not come with sliders, they must be added to order.

Double-Tab Slider: Can be opened from inside or outside. Zinc slider.

[Lonely Raven]

That's what I ordered as well. I've not used it yet, but I've got it ready for when I get to making something.

[Ramblinrev]

If you want to be able to completely remove the zipper it needs to be a "separating" zipper like you would find on a jacket. You can have dual sliders on a separating zipper (think parka) but they will still only open from one end. Separating zippers are almost always toothed zippers and must be ordered in the length desire. Very long separating zippers are hard to come by. They can be custom made but that can be pricey. About the longest easily obtained are sleeping bag length and those are not really long enough for hammock use.

Coil zippers can be made to any length you want but they are not separating in any reasonable use of the term. If you want to constantly reassemble the zipper you can take them apart, but they are generally not intended to be used that way. They can have sliders running either way with inner and outer tabs on the slider. Coil zippers are "self repairing" to a great degree. (Toothed zippers are not.) So the "perfect" zipper depends entirely on the use you want it for.

Zippers are sized by the width of the zipper track when closed. eg: a #5 zipper is 5 mm across the track when it is zipped. Sliders are NOT interchangeable even in the same manufacturer. A YKK slider will fit only YKK zippers it was made for. There is no such thing as a universal replacement slider. Any thing advertised that way is for emergency use only and is as useful as the "donut" spare tire on modern cars. It might get you back to the trail head, butm you won;t want to use it long term.

YKK is considered one of the gold standards zipper manufacturers. They are excellent quality and very durable. Other companies make zippers. Use your discretion and remember the sliders may not be interchangeable down the road. Get enough sliders for your project the first time because you don't want to have to pay shipping charges on 1 or 2 additional sliders from the same vendor.

I hope this helps.

[sonic]

Good question. Thanks for asking. And as always thanks for the very informative answer Rev.

[MAD777]

Not a zipper expert but this is what I used

http://www.diygearsupply.com/cgi-bin/shelf.cgi?numb=43

Copied from website

That's what I use for my hammocks - the #3 with two double sliders from DIYGearSupply.

[Pipsissewa]

Coil zippers...can have sliders running either way with inner and outer tabs on the slider.

This has been a vague question in my mind for a long time!

The plan is for an attached bug net with a zipper on one side only. Inner and out tabs on both sliders. So, I need a coil zipper and two double-tabbed sliders. I'll turn one of the sliders around and sew the ends closed onto the hammock body to make it open in the middle.

Quote:
#3 YKK Continuous Coil Zipper and Sliders.

Coil: Lightweight zipper coil for your backpacking gear. Ideal for adding bug-netting to your hammocks, for sleeping bags, bivy sacks, etc. Black coil. Sold by the foot, change quantity in cart to desired length. Zipper Coil does not come with sliders, they must be added to order.

Double-Tab Slider: Can be opened from inside or outside. Zinc slider.

Good to know that a #3 is strong enough. I definitely want to go as light as possible. Thanks, guys, for ALL the great responses. Sorting through the information overload was making my brain hurt!!! I think I can order safely now!

[GrayDog]

Thanks Ramblinrev for the schooling!

The wealth of knowledge on this forum is incredible!

-DumbDog

[Jazilla]

Just a side question. Are you going with a zipper instead of the TED? I am about to TED up my wife's hammock and this had me ask myself will it work out.

[Pipsissewa]

J-I still like the TED bug net. I just want to make another hammock. And since the Peace Pipe doesn't have an attached bug net, I thought I'd make one with. I know I'll miss being able to get in/out on either side. And the hassle and noise of a zipper always work on my last nerve!

Still going with organza though. That stuff is bombproof! Good luck with your TED!