Wire Zipper Slider Handle!

Have you ever had a zipper without the slide on it? It is just very hard to unzip and zip up the zipper.

So here is a very cheap replacement that electronic hobbyists will like.
It involves a telephone clip that connects two wires together when you insert two wires and push the button down.

Step 1:

You need to gather:

Pliers and wire cutter

Telephone wire connectors

Wire (Any color you like...)

Zipper with broken handle...



Oh, Yes. One more thing...

Rate and enjoy!
(it's free!!!)

Comments

[blindpyro]

Can't believe I didn't think of it, there is a collection of these splices next to me. It has all the essentials; cheap, fast, simple, and best of all unique.

[allbookmark]

found lots of interesting information here. The post was professionally written and I feel like the author has extensive knowledge in the subject. Keep it that way.
Luton Airport Transfer

[valkgurl]

This is a GREAT idea for casual or funky clothing! Will keep it firmly in mind!

However for items that need to have a more formal finished look to them you can go to SHOPZIPPERMEND.COM and find a very clever little gadget ----the zipper pull fixer has a "slide" feature and opens sideways, the little loop goes thru the hole in the leftover zipper part, and the item gets slid back over the loop and snaps closed---if needed you can give it a small nudge with a pair of pliers or a tap on a table top with a hard book etc.

These come in several useful colours like antique bronze , silver and black etc. They look like they were made for the items---no odd patchwork cob job look here. (This is for things like formal leather jackets and outerwear and suit pants remember!) They also have cute little neoprene covers in hot colours for them---in case you need a real sturdy pull but want that funky look too!

I don't work for these clever people but I do sell a lot of vintage clothing and I often need to replace zipper pulls. These have saved my bacon several times and put clothing back out in use that would otherwise have gone to the scrap pile.

For getting small fine zippers fixed I have used a gadget used in sewing to pull cording thru hems and waistbands. This is a fairly long---abt 9"-wire with a tiny hook with a latch closer on it. Poke the turner wire thru the eye in the zipper puller and use it to grab a piece of cord. wire, or whatever you can find and use the little hook and latch to grasp and hold as you pull. This can also ease the left over zipper pull metal just enough to get something slightly thicker thru without damaging the metal. This is an amazing tool to have around and you will find many uses for one. VEry skinny but very strong!

If you find yourself in ski wear and break a zipper pull lop off a piece of your jackets hem or hood shock cord and thread it thru the zipper pull for a quick fix. Either knot or steal one of the shock cord adjusters for the moment to close. There is always too much shock cord and if it really leaves you "short" can be easily replaced using the tool above. Cord adjusters can be bought at EMS or similar as can the cord itself.

[mohtaprashantrocks]

great idea

[itslisa]

Love this. My zipper tab broke off 2 winters ago and I put a paper clip on. My paper clip just broke two nights ago! Unfortunately the hole is VERY small on this one. The paper clip was a bear to get through. I'll have to see if I can find the connectors you've posted. Thanks for the Instructable.

[Suzanne in Orting]

If the hole is that fine, you might try Tiger Tail. It's a plastic coated wire used in beading. It comes in different sizes and is fastened by a crimp bead.

I found a description here: http://www.how-to-make-jewelry.com/bead-stringing-materials.html#tigertail

The only problem with this plan is having way too much left over if you have to buy the cord and crimp beads (and the crimping tool, if you want it to look its best.)

If you are near to Puyallup, WA, drop me a private message and I'll give you what little you'd need.

[itslisa]

Unfortunately I'm on the other side of the country -- in New Hampshire. Thanks so much for the offer. It was very kind.

[alpe_97]

Thank you!

[WhiteWolf McBride]

Wire connectors may be hard to find, but Mountain Equipment Co-Op makes connectors meant for light cord. You often see these ends on fleece tops. You can use anything from old shoelaces to light bungee, they lock down, but can be re-opened with the fine edge on a pen-knife/multitool. I love 'em! Here is a link to MEC's item:

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCamping/MaintenanceRepair/BuckleAccessories/PRD~4017-305/web-source-groovy-zipper-pull.jsp

If the link does not work, go to www.MEC.ca, and search for " Web Source Groovy Zipper Pull ". Bet you can find it as easily as the wire-connectors.

Another possibility is split-rings (like used on keychains. Go into Walmart, in the craft/sewing section, and you can find 'em in a variety of sizes. Nephew uses the small ones to 'belt' his rubber worms to the hook instead of skewering 'em! 

I still like the idea of just using wire and soldering (I've busted a few pulls in my day). In a pinch, tye-wraps will do, or hit a train or bus station, and get a luggage check tag, toss the tag, and use the plastic tye! Bonus there are its removable/re-usable! I always carry a handful of tyewraps, even bought metal ones at the local surplus store for securing checked baggage. Beats a lock if you aren't going in-&-out, and unless you're really good, shows any tanpering (most thieves don't have the time to be neat)

[Suzanne in Orting]

I'm going to have to remember this for those "guy"-style repairs for my husband and son.

Suzanne in Orting, WA

[moofmoofmoof]

If you cannot find these, try searching for "phone splice connector". In the U.S. Radio Shack has them -- http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062793 -- and amazon has a few hits as well.

[davintosh]

Excellent! I did a similar thing to "fix" a broken jacket zipper a while back using an RJ-45 connector and a bit of Cat. 5 wire (but I think yours turned out much better.) I started an Instructable on it, but never did finish; here are the photos though and a link to my blog post about it.

[irishchaos]

I've never seen a phone connector like that and I'm in I.T. Are these available in the U.S.?

[hsr65]

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=231746-12704-85-960&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3365844&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

[hsr65]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_20178-12704-85-925_0__?productId=1057779&Ntt=idc&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Didc&facetInfo=

[hsr65]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100036034/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[David Catriel]

Nice and simple. Just perfect!

[tastewar]

I *love* these! I can't wait for a zipper to break so I can make one. I have plenty of these connectors (and yes, they are available in the US -- they're "old school" telecomm connectors, all you young datacomm rascals wouldn't know!) Google UR-2 connector (or UR-3), or Scotchlok...

[swander]

Just ask any phone man for a few of these. I got through a box a week. There are also red ones that are 3 wire connectors that are 50% larger.

[kirkb150]

I use zip ties for this when traveling (because I keep them in my carryon), but I like this a lot better.

[tpobrienjr]

Kirkb150, your ziptie idea is also very good for traveling within a country. You can seal the bag and keep (some) thieves away. I really like this wire splicer idea for replacing a busted zipper pull.

[Gits]

This is fantastic, oh. Thank you

[f5mando]

Great idea! Where do we find the telephone connectors?

[alpe_97]

Thanks! Probably home improvement stores...
Or electrical supplier stores....
I found them when I was cleaning... hehe!

[kderevan]

I make a lot of purses and totes, and this will make a great and unusual accent for some of them. Thanks!

[killbox]

I love it, As a kid i was enamored by some of the splices Mountain Bell Used on our junction box, bright reds and greens, they looked like jewels or candy.

[billgeo]

Simple and smart! Just great!!!
I work in a telecom company and we have tons of this stuff.

[BruskieR]

Great idea. I have a couple of uses for this. Do I get the telephone wire connectors at a home improvment store? Do I need solid wire and what gage wire should I use?

[badmodofinga]

18/19 gauge should be the largest size on most connectors, the larger size should allow for the connector to get an extra bite. These connectors are rated for solid copper wire, not stranded (might still work, however it will pull out easier.

Any good hardware store should have these.

[alpe_97]

Thanks for thinking this is a great idea! Actually I found them when I was cleaning. You can probably find them in a home improvement store or an electronics store. I personally think the solid core wire would be best because it may be stronger, I believe, when you clamp it down. The gage of the wire depends on the connector. You can also just solder the wire to itself.(But I don't know if that will be strong enough.... the soldering part...)

[badmodofinga]

18/19 gauge should be the largest size on most connectors, the larger size should allow for the connector to get an extra bite.

Any good hardware store should have these.

[mobiledeb]

Perfect timing, the tab just broke off on my winter jacket and since it is necessary to zip your jacket during a Minnesota winter I was a bit worried. Worked slick, thank you for saving me from hypothermia.

[porcupinemamma]

Really like it! Great idea!!!

[velcro2]

I've used these telephone connectors many times and NEVER thought of this application. Its simplicity is pure genius. You could get by with 18 AWG or even 16 AWG stranded wire to make it flexible. This is a clever and terrific idea.

[mr.incredible]

Would be great on a ski jacket. You could definitely feel/use with gloves.

[yoyology]

It's not as attractive, but wire taps like these would do a great job.

[scoochmaroo]

Clever AND attractive. I love it! I have an Instructables jacket around here somewhere that needs a new zipper pull. . .

[amh210]

But it will look odd on my slacks.

[shtihl]

wow! awesome and so stinking useful. don't know how i never thought of this. brilliant