Fix a Zip With a Broken Tooth

by doommeister

195K4421

Intro: Fix a Zip With a Broken Tooth

Broken zips can be a right pain in the rear end, in this Instructable DoomMeister shows you how to effect a repair to a zip (zipper to all you Americans out there) that has one of its teeth missing.

In a country like Blairstrip 1 you need a good raincoat and DoomMeisters favourite one has a broken zip. Rather that buy a new one as the corporate overlords would have us do, or indeed to fully replace the zip DoomMeister will repair the missing tooth using his awful sewing skills and a piece of a cotton bud (Q-Tip).

STEP 1: Reassemble the Zip

If the slider has come away from the teeth of the zip as it will be prone to do if a tooth is missing, reassemble the zip by pushing the slider back on to the teeth making sure to get the tape smoothly and un-kinked between the groove in the slider.

Push the slider as far away as possible from the missing tooth whilst you are working.

STEP 2: Fashion an U Piece

In order to stop the slider coming away from the zip again we must replicate the effect that the tooth had in keeping the slider on the tape. To do this the DoomMeister used a small U section cut from the middle of a cotton bud. A small brass clip would be a superior solution

This U piece will not help the zip stay together, hopefully there are already enough teeth for this but will prevent the slider coming away again.

STEP 3: Sew the U Piece in Position.

In order to retain the U piece, sew it to the tape. If the U piece is similar to the one the DoomMeister made then you can sew though it although you may need the help of a thimble or some pliers to get the needle through the plastic.

When you have tested the repair to check that it works and the slider does not foul on the repair then you can make it double permanent by covering your new sewing with cyanoacrylate adhesive (superglue).

21 Comments

veggiepunk 14 years ago

got some boots wore them to a muddy festival tooth broke on zip of boot and now i have to do this and find a way of getting my zip to the bottom of the zip any easy help...anyone i love these boots and im a cheapskate ta

veggiepunk 14 years ago

turns out I need a complete new zip...everything worked the zips just FU**ed behind belief

Dewi Pinatih 15 years ago

I like your repair. I would like to invite you to join my new group 'Remarkable Repairs' https://www.instructables.com/group/repair/
And was wondering if you would like to join the Most Remarkable Repair Contest Platform21 organises with Dutch magazine Bright. Platform21 is a design platform in Amsterdam and our current project is called Platform21 = Repairing. We hope to spur a reappraisal of repair, which is a kind of forgotten activity in our throwaway society. Please check http://www.platform21.nl/page/4509/en for more. I hope to welcome you as a contestant!

lbrewer42 15 years ago

Excellent idea - thanks for sharing.

mg0930mg 15 years ago

I thought you were using a broken tooth from your mouth to fix this, it scared e. Hehe. Good instructable.

Bongmaster 15 years ago

hmm just the thing i need :) will try it out :D and haha Blairstrip 1 :D good one ;) .. i escaped :D

doommeister 15 years ago

Cool Handle Dude. Could only better where it BongMeister It's just the media here makes it feel like that, and the fact that you can't wipe your bottom without it being on CCTV somewhere.

Bongmaster 15 years ago

yea, im glad i moved to norway :D much nicer here :) and i feel safer :D i come from kent origonally

doommeister 15 years ago

It's an SOG powerplier, not so well known as a Leatherman or a Gerber but I have found it to be an extremely well made tool.

thematthatter 15 years ago

the knife and file look identical to my Gerber proscout.

doommeister 15 years ago

Well it would definitely be tough if as every one seems to think upon reading the title it were "fixing a zip with your teeth". Even the DoomMeister isn't that manly.

masterochicken 15 years ago

That's how I fixed the zipper on my wallet.

Weissensteinburg 15 years ago

Oh geez. When I first read the title, I thought it said "Fix a Broken Zip With a Tooth". Anyways, good job, it's a very creative way to fix it. The super glue is an especially good idea.

richelton 15 years ago

...me too, thinking "ewwww!" as I couldn't help but click on it. {still laughing} But great idea, thanks to the author!

Gypsyman 15 years ago

hahaha i thought that too, that is the reason i clicked on it .

Williz 15 years ago

Wth I thought it said that too =/

tiuk 15 years ago

Good to know, I'll definitely log this away for the next time a tooth breaks.
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