Replace zipper 'tags', how?

[usenet]

I have a number of zippers which, while perfectly serviceable, have lost the little puller that allows you to pull the zip open or closed easily. I've replaced a couple of these with paper clips but these aren't ideal really as they're not quite stiff/strong enough.

Has anyone got any ideas for alternatives to paper clips which would be cheap and easy to implement? The zippers in question are quite small, the original pullers were about 1cm diameter disks in one case and the more normal rectangular piece of metal (10mm x 5mm ??) in the other.

Replacing the zippers isn't really an option, it would be very difficult to do well.

[blaildyors]

[EricP]

Marvelous how people arrive at the same conclusion, paper clips here as well.

Finally ended up copper/silver plating the paper clip. Looks a bit beter and works superbly.

The only alternative we found was to weave a little toggle from copper wire, after threading through the hole.

Problem is, it breaks off after a while and has to be replaced.

[Adrian Berry]

Small stainless steel split ring (=keyring) from an anglers' shop, attached to anything you fancy (small coin, drilled for the split ring; old padlock key; larger split ring.....)

Adrian

[manatbandq]

If you have kids, or young nieces or nephews, ask them about "scoobies".

MBQ

[Tony Bryer]

One of my jackets has a small nylon cable tie doing this: pulled through the appropriate size, cut and welded with a soldering iron.

[usenet]

:-)

I had wondered about 'whipping' the paper clip round the open end so it won't pull open. The whipping would be very fine wire. Rather laborious I suspect but effective. Alterntively one could solder the paper clip.

Like the originals! :-)

[usenet]

How small can you get them, they sound ideal if small enough.

[Adrian Berry]

I've seen them down to about 3 or 4mm outside diameter but they are too fiddly to put on a zipper. I have used ones about 6mm for this purpose successfully.

Adrian

[Vass]

Boot laces various colours strong don't hurt if you catch yourself on them

[Chris Bacon]

Similar ideas to elsewhere in this thread. However, some zipper pulls incorporate a little which engages with the track to stop it undoing when the zip pull is flat. If there's no tang, it can be a source of some embarrassment.

[Mike Barnes]

Key rings.

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

So ask people for their old jeans,coats ect and take the pullers off and discard the clothes.

-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

[usenet]

They look as if they're "one piece" so I don't think the pullers of old zips would help much. It's an idea though, I'll take a closer look as we have a store of old zips and even buying a new one to cannibalise it wouldn't be too expensive.

[somebody]

In message , [e-mail] writes

Many years a motorcycle clothing shop gave me some replacement tags. They are (were?) actually made for the job. Hook it into the zip, clip it shut and virtually as good as new.

No idea if they're still made and can't find them on google either :-( Someone

[S Viemeister]

Most good sewing supplies places, will have replacement zipper pulls.

[Owain]

electricity meter seals (or something similar from the security and quality assurance seals section of industrial catalogues)

Owain

[Suz]

[gone2lunch1]

Try using beads. Something wooden, or maybe coin silver with an interesting pattern, would be functional without looking too "girlie."

Slide the bead onto a "head pin," (a jewelry finding that looks like a regular dressmaker's pin but is longer, and blunt) or even a regular pin, if you can find one long enough. Use a pair of needlenose pliers to form a circle (possible 2 or 3 loops) in the end and thread this onto the top of the zipper where you were attaching your paper clips.

Most craft stores have inexpensive head pins. You'll probably want to look for something about 5 cm or more - you can always cut off any excess!

[dennis]

I have used keyrings on some larger zips before. You used to be able to get small ones in places like poundland.