Zipper Rescue: Skipped a Tooth, Can’t Unzip

[Delmar O’Donnell]

Can you help me rescue my 2009 Houdini. Apparently I didn't push the zipper pin (on the right) far enough into the zipper box (attached to the left, the part marked YKK), and zipped up. Appears to be one or two teeth/coils "off" where it should be. Noticed the zipper coming undone from the bottom. Tried to unzip but could not. I had to use the Houdini as a pull-over for the rest of the trip.

Is there a trick to unzipping, once the teeth/coils are misaligned by a tooth or two?

.

[Steve K]

You can fix this if you are patient about it. It's happened to me a few times when I wasn't paying attention so I am decent at fixing these now.

Unzip it as far as you can.

Then you will need to "fight" the zipper to either jump a tooth or get the zipper head to the end of the track. These zippers are more resilient than they look. Don't be afraid to use some force.

You might have to lightly yank on the zipper head or apply steadily increasing pressure on one side of the zipper track or the other while tugging on the zipper head. It'll probably work easiest if you hold the stopper side of the zipper track while tugging the zipper head towards the stopper.

[Roger Caffin]

Yeah, you will have to fight it a bit. Can take a little time. But you would have had to use a bit of force to get it to do up like that in the first place.

I find that a strong sewing needle with the eye end stuck in a bit of wood or plastic as a handle is a marvelous 'probe' for poking inside zips and things.

Cheers

[Jerry Adams]

yeah, "more wheaties"

hold the zipper tape on the right side of your picture and pull the slider down harder. Maybe hold slider tab with pliers.

afterwards, it should be okay, but when a zipper gets old, it will sometimes start undoing itself from down below

sometimes you can see a zipper "tooth" (coil) that's bent a little and if you bend it back with needle nose it will work better

[Delmar O’Donnell]

I don't want to misunderstand, so I found this image of zipper parts (and edited my question):

.

Stephen: "Zipper head" means "Pull tab"? "Stopper side" = "box"?

Jerry: "Slider" and "slider tab" I assume is what the illustration calls "pull tab."

Roger: I swear I didn't use force. I'm gentle with gear. But obviously, I did something wrong. So Roger, are you thinking I should take a needle to a few of the teeth (coils) and try to push them where they should be?

[Steve K]

> Stephen: "Zipper head" means "Pull tab"? "Stopper side" = "box"?

You got it.

It's important to note that the Houdini, like many other zippered widgets, has a very small locking zipper head. It unlocks when the pull tab is pulled straight outwards (perpendicular to the track) and prevents the jacket from unzipping itself while in use. You will not be able to easily move the zipper head without pulling on the pull tab.

[Delmar O’Donnell]

Whew, thanks guys. Success.

Held the box side (or was it the pin side? can't remember! I think box side) stationary with one hand and pulled the pull tab beyond my comfort zone. After a bit of drama, the pull tab made it all the way down to the bottom of the pin and the zipper released. Amazingly, even under a magnifying glass it appears no damage, just as you said. Zips as it always did.

I'm going to have to train myself to be careful here…to make certain the pin is fully seated in the box. I can see me forgetting to do this.

[Franco Darioli]

Here are a couple of sites with some good zipper repair tips :
http://lifehacker.com/5975700/how-to-fix-every-common-zipper-problem

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOW-TO-FIX-A-ZIPPER-NO-REPLACE/
The second one is particularly useful for when you have a worn slider that you cannot (on the road…) replace.
(time to get that Leatherman Squirt out)

[Roger Caffin]

> I'm going to have to train myself to be careful here…to make certain the pin is
> fully seated in the box.

Actually, this can be very easy to ensure. I will assume the zipper box is on the right per your photo, and the removable tab on your left. Reverse instructions if needed.

* Move slider to bottom end
* Hold box in right hand and tab in left hand
* Insert tab FULLY into box with left hand – wiggle as needed
* KEEP HOLDING the tab and box with your LEFT hand
* Pull slider up with RIGHT hand

In other words, the secret is to never let go of the removable tab. If you hang onto that the zipper will normally sort itself out.

In hindsight, it is very obvious, I know, I know, but I have met many people who had never twigged to that.

Cheers

[Jerry Adams]

> I'm going to have to train myself to be careful here…to make certain the pin is
> fully seated in the box.

Actually, this can be very easy to ensure.

Whenever you zip your zipper, remember this incident.

Exhagerate the importance in your mind, like this could have been a life risking event.

It is very important to align that zipper when you zip it as if your life depends on it.

etc…

[Delmar O’Donnell]

> Exhagerate the importance in your mind, like this could have been a life risking event.

Indeed!! Not to mention they aren't making '09 Houdinis anymore!

I'd rather drop and break a bottle of '45 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild!

[Author]

Posts