DIY separating zipper, any length.

[Tacblades]

This has been a problem that has annoyed me for about a year now.

How to make your own DIY separating zipper any length you want, double zips etc. I didnt want to buy any crimps or end stops or anything just a zip.

So now i think i have solved it.
Take a normal zip, ykk coil or ykk vislon
And double sided zip pulls.

Separate the sides,
Cut the teeth off about 1in
Melt the exposed zipper tape.
Put the zip pull on the zipper alinging the ends.
Sew grossgrain ribbon on the ends wraped around the teeth side, trim and melt.

Its not as good as a professional zip made for the job. But after about 5 times zip and unzipping, it works very well and starts easy and retains the zip pull.







I am sure it can be improved, larger end tabs to hold onto, maybe a spot of super glue on the tape just before the teeth start to stiffen and protect the tape etc.

But now easy to make any length any number of zips you want

[Caminante]

Looks good. I've been thinking about how to do this with a Uretek zipper for the bottom of some rain/wind pants. Looks like I could do this with just the "bottom" slider and also adding some fabric tape at the top.

[Tacblades]

Think i will add a kam snap at the end to stop any stress pulling the ends apart.

[Tacblades]

Like this think i will leave 2in tails.

You can keep the tape flat with a small strip of grossgrain with a kam snap on if you didnt want to cross the streams

[Caminante]

That's exactly what I was thinking for closing the bottom of my pants, but without crossing the streams... Quest Outfitters has some helpful information, as well: http://questoutfitters.com/zippers_tips.htm#ZIPPER WEDGES

[Tacblades]

Good link, i am also thinking thoes tiny metal sew on poppers or hook and eye might be more tidy.

[Tacblades]

In fact superglue on the tape turns it into a stiff resin tape, perfect for starting the zipper pull. In fact i think using superglue is perfect for the end tabs without the need for ribbon.
Think i will put it on the end of all my zips to stop it freying.

You leave it on the surface and it soaks in and goes stiff, amazing

[Caminante]

You're now inventing new manufacturing processes.

I wonder if superglue or epoxy filling in some coils/teeth would work as a stop in lieu of a metal doodad.

[Tacblades]

You're now inventing new manufacturing processes.

I wonder if superglue or epoxy filling in some coils/teeth would work as a stop in lieu of a metal doodad.

Yes as i let some get near the teeth and it stopped it, but i will just sew a few loops by hand over the teeth for a stop, this is easy and foolproof

[Snowball]

Very cool Maybe silicone could be used to make it stiffer and still flexible?