How to quickly insert a dog into a zipper. How to change the zipper dog on different things

Everyone faced a problem when the zipper “diverges” on a jacket or sweater or the slider broke (popularly called “dog”). Do not immediately change the zipper, make an revision if all the teeth are in order, then slider replacement will cost less.

But let's look at what sliders are, because a slider for a metal zipper is not suitable for a plastic zipper. And I recommend buying a new one, rather than taking it off things you don't wear.

Before you is a slider for a zipper with plastic teeth, "tractor" No. 5. It is widened and rounded at the top.

This is a #5 metal prong zipper slider.

This one is for the #7 "twisted" zipper, which has spiral-shaped teeth.

The number of zippers depends on the thickness of the zipper itself.

The best way to get the correct slider is when buying a new one is to have a sample of the old one.

Let's assume that you have purchased the desired slider. Side cutters are required for its installation. As well as "limiters" for the slider, so that it does not fly off at the top of the lightning. They are also sold in sewing stores. If you are unlucky to get "limiters", then you can remove them from an old metal zipper, for example, from jeans. I cut out these limiters with scissors and put them in a matchbox.

Side cutters "have a bite" plastic limiter at the top of the zipper

and take it off. On the other hand, do the same.

This shows that the sliders have one shape. Colored runners are not sold in our sewing stores, so we will limit ourselves to what we have.

Now gently put the slider on slightly swinging up and down. Too bad it doesn't show in the photo.

Replace the plastic stopper with a metal one.

Replacing a zipper in a jacket is quite an expensive studio service and takes time. And it is not always possible, after all, to change clothes in a severe frost of a child in other clothes, not to mention the money for repairing a zipper.
But it turns out that it is not always necessary to change the entire zipper, quite often only a zipper repair is required, that is, remove the old slider and install a new one. True, you first need to make sure that only the slider is really broken. These are the cases when, after fastening the zipper, it suddenly “diverges” on the go or the slider moves up, and the zipper teeth do not interlock.

In this article, you will learn how to change the zipper pawl of a tractor or metal zipper with your own hands. These tips can also be used when replacing a twisted zipper slider.

How to remove an old zipper slider (tractor)

We will tell you how to remove the metal zipper slider below. But in short, you need to remove the top bartack on the left lock tape, and then put it back.
The bartack of the tractor zipper is welded on. It can only be broken (removed) with wire cutters. After replacing the slider, you will have to put another bartack from a large metal lock. But not only will it stand out ugly on the jacket, it is also not known where to get such a zipper. Do not buy a new zipper in the store for the sake of one bartack? Although in rare cases you will have to do this, then buy the shortest and cheapest zipper.

The slider is not difficult to remove, it can even be broken, because it will no longer be used. But here's how to install a new slider so that the branded plastic clip remains unscathed?

Ordinary soap will help you not only remove the slider, but also put in a new one. Lubricate the area of the zipper liberally in any place you like and first remove the old slider, as shown in this photo.

And removing and putting the slider will not be easy, especially when the zipper is sewn to the jacket. And if you manage to remove it almost immediately, then it will be much more difficult to put in a new dog.

Take your time and do not overdo it, sooner or later the soapy solution will do its job, and the zipper teeth will slip into the dog. You see, we succeeded, we even took a slider of a different color on purpose and photographed the entire lightning bolt.

Zipper repair with metal teeth

The clip on the left side of the metal zipper must be loosened and then removed. After that, it is quite easy and simple to install a new slider and be sure to check how the lock closes.
It is possible that the dog you bought is not suitable, despite the resemblance, then you will have to select another dog. It is best to take a zipper with you to the store and try the doggy right in the store. But if this is not possible, then carefully compare the new dog and the old one. Despite the number (3,4..8) they have a number of other differences. Especially often you are convinced of this when replacing the slider of a twisted (spiral) zipper.
By the way, replacing the slider with a spiral zipper is much easier than with a tractor zipper. Remove the bartack with an awl, install a new slider, check how the zipper works and put the bartack back (press with pliers). This completes the lightning repair.

Why the lightning lock diverges: reasons

The zipper is called differently:

"snake"
zipper
clasp

It is one of the types of fasteners, which is designed for quick connection parts of clothing. Modern designers are developing new versions of zippers with improved latches to prevent possible breakages. However, a model that would never break, unfortunately, has not yet been created. And over time, most of the "snakes" begin to diverge.

In order to understand the causes of the trouble that happened, you need to understand how such a clasp is arranged and what is the principle of its operation. "Snake" consists of two textile tapes with links (cloves) attached to them. These links are staggered and can be:

plastic
metal
kapron (flexible, on a thin fabric basis with spiral staples)

The teeth are connected to each other using a lock, which has different names:

slider
"dog"
slider
carriage

The principle of operation of such a fastener is as follows:

the slider slides along the tape, connecting the links together, like puzzles
each link is fixed by two links on the opposite side

Possible reasons why the teeth on the zipper do not connect:

the slider is unclenched and does not fit snugly to the braid
the shape of one of the elements is broken
runner has broken
the teeth on the clasp are broken or deformed
thread or fabric stuck in the clasp
dirt has accumulated between the links (often this problem happens with shoes)

How to unzip a zipper if it has come apart, what to do so that the lock does not diverge: tips

Sometimes on a zipper that has come apart, the slider gets stuck at the top or in the middle. What can be done in such a case?

The technology depends on the type of zipper.

Detachable (used on sweaters, jackets or other outerwear):

insert the lower ends of the fastener into the square retainer
take the dog by its base, not by its decorative keychain
pressing the slider to the links, smoothly and slowly, lead it down
Hold the clasp with your other hand
reaching the latch, carefully hook it with the slider
unzip

One-piece (sewn into jeans, skirts, trousers, bags, wallets):

release the tabs on the top of the clasp
smoothly slide the slider to the edge of the braid
try not to get the fabric between the teeth and the dog
remove the carriage from the zipper

Now check if the clasp can be repaired. For this:

manually connect the lower ends of the fastener
with the other hand, grasp the base of the slider
holding the lower end, slowly move the "dog" up the zipper
if during this action the links of the lightning did not connect, it must be replaced

In the event that adhesion between the links of the fastener does occur, there are chances to repair the zipper yourself. It happens that lightning diverges from above. Especially often this problem occurs with jeans or skirts.

In an emergency, this can help:

thread a rubber band or wire ring into the dog
fasten the "snake"
put an elastic band (ring) on a button
thread the button through the buttonhole

In order for the zipper to serve you for a long time and not break, use it correctly:

do not pull the “dog” with all your strength and do not pull it back when fastening / unfastening
before fastening the zipper, straighten the sides of the product so that there are no stretched areas
in cases where the lock is too tight, lubricate it suitable remedy or rub the teeth with a graphite pencil
avoid putting too much pressure on the clasp (buy clothes that aren't too tight, don't carry too many things in your bag)
periodically clean the clasp from dirt with a brush
always zip up before washing and turn garment inside out
fold things in such a way that the zipper does not bend
when ironing clothes, avoid touching the fastener with a hot iron

How to quickly fix a metal zipper if it diverges or the slider has fallen off?

A metal zipper is considered the most reliable and durable, since its teeth (brass or nickel) are located on a fairly dense material and are connected to each other especially firmly.

However, it also has a number of disadvantages:

scratches fingers
runner often gets stuck
clings to fabric threads

In order to repair a broken clasp, you first need to determine the cause of the breakdown. In the case when the slider is to blame, you can make a quick repair like this:

prepare thin pliers(pliers) or non-sharp tongs
carefully examine the slider to determine the location of the voids and partitions inside it
using pliers, carefully press both sides of the pawl against the links of the fastener
do it top and bottom
fasten the "snake"
squeeze the base of the slider slightly towards the center
do not overdo it, press lightly so as not to break the lock and not make it unnecessarily tight

Sometimes metal lightning begins to diverge due to the deformation of the links. At the initial stage, it is easy to correct the situation:

lay the item on a hard surface
lightly tap with a hammer along the entire length
do it from outside and inside
go through this a few times

If the “snake” diverges in only one place, this means that the teeth are especially damaged in this area. You can fix it like this:

zip up the zipper
in the area where the links diverge, connect them with your hands
lightly pressing with pliers, align the problem teeth

In the event that the links are damaged or missing at the bottom of the "snake", you can do the following:

on one-piece - make a few stitches over the missing teeth. In this case, the fastener will only open up to this sewn section. Check if this length will be enough for you for comfortable use.
on a detachable one - change the lower limiter on which the slider rests. To do this, remove it, helping yourself with pliers. Replace it with a limiter that is larger. It will close the hole from the missing link.

Sometimes a dog flies off the zipper, and it becomes impossible to use the thing. This problem is also fixable.

When the slider flew off completely:

slightly support the seam with which the fastener is sewn to the product
pull out the ends on one side
using tweezers, an awl or small scissors, open the stoppers at the top or bottom of the zipper (where it is more convenient) and remove them from the fabric base
thread the ends of the ribbon inside the slider
move it a little along the zipper
put the fasteners back in place

When the slider flew off only on one side:

from the edge that is not attached to the braid, slightly open the slider with tongs to increase the gap between its walls
put it down
carefully thread the teeth of the fastener into the slider
make sure that they are evenly spaced, without tension and bends
lightly press the edges of the slider
in the case when it is impossible to unclench the walls of the "dog":
remove the stopper on one side of the clasp
put on a doggy
put the limiter back

In the event that the slider is broken and cannot be replaced, it must be replaced. When buying a new one, please note that its shape and size must match the configuration of the fastener. On the reverse side"dogs" are the dimensions in millimeters. If the lock is lost, then it is better to take the zipper with you to the store to avoid the wrong purchase.

Please note that it will be much easier to insert the slider onto the “snake” if you pre-lubricate it:

vegetable oil
paraffin candles
unsalted lard
toilet soap

Use literally a drop of the selected product so as not to clog the slider and links, and also not to stain the product.

How to quickly fix a plastic zipper if it diverges or the slider has fallen off?

Manufacturers most often use for their products a zipper made of plastic, which is sometimes called "tractor". It is not as strong as metal, but it has, in comparison with it, a number of advantages:

does not cling
easier to fasten
weighs less
has a variety of colors

However, the disadvantages of a plastic fastener are that it breaks faster and the slider “flies” from it more often.

When the plastic zipper has just started to come apart, do the following:

unfasten the clasp
treat the cloves with a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution of rosin
let dry for several hours

If this method did not help to correct the situation, then the slider is most likely damaged. It is unlikely that it will be possible to press it with pliers, since the plastic can simply burst. Therefore, the best way out is to replace the "dog". This is done in the same way as in the case of a metal lightning, taking into account some points:

latches that are removed from the clasp to replace the "dog", simply glue to the original place
in cases where this cannot be done, make a few stitches in place of the limiters with threads of a suitable color, which will hold the slider
if the base on a one-piece zipper is damaged, lubricate this place with a colorless varnish and let it dry completely
in the case when several teeth fell out on the kapron "snake" or they are badly damaged, sew this area fishing line, winding the coils
it is usually not possible to insert a "dog" into thin nylon zippers, since it is too small. Therefore, it is better to take clothes with such locks to the studio, where you can easily replace the fastener with a new one.

In emergency cases, when there is no possibility of buying a new slider, and there is nothing to replace the thing on which the clasp has broken, you can try the following:

use a lighter to heat the slider
under the influence of heat, its walls will become a little softer
firmly squeeze the edges of the slider

However, it must be said that this way not very reliable due to the risk of damaging the fabric of the thing or the zipper itself.

How to quickly fix a hidden zipper if it diverges or the slider has fallen off?

The hidden zipper is a relatively recent invention that is used for flowing and light fabrics or hidden pockets. It does not bulge the fabric on clothes and therefore is almost imperceptible to the eye. The main problem with this type of fastener is that the fabric often gets between the halves of the snake.

If a hidden zipper has broken or a slider has flown off it, then in most cases it, unfortunately, cannot be repaired. You can try the fixes above, but the best option- Sew on a new zipper.

Video: What to do with broken lightning?

Obviously, the zipper is known to everyone and very popular in all its applications and manifestations.

These are clothes and shoes, bags and covers, a lot of other equally useful things. Do you know what underlies its principle of operation?

Few people know that an ordinary bird gave the world the idea for its implementation. More precisely - a feather of a bird. Even more precisely - the principle of connecting the elements of the pen into a single plane. This is an alternating engagement of the feather villi, which ultimately forms a single whole.
The same thing happens in the usual "lightning". When it is fastened, the elements of one edge engage with the elements of the other edge with the help of a lock or, in other words, a “runner”. The elements can be plastic or metal staples or teeth fixed at one end to a strip of fabric. Plastic variant may be cast (which is called "tractor") or twisted ("spiral").

The weakest link in this whole fastening device is usually the lock, or “slider”. Its malfunction can manifest itself in the breakdown of the "tongue" - a device that we clamp with our fingers. The mechanism that holds the slider closed may break, and then it will unfasten. In addition, a malfunction can manifest itself in the divergence of the halves of the zipper when you try to fasten it. In the latter case, many advise to tighten the halves of the castle to each other.

Zipper repair by pressing the slider

First you can try to tighten the lock without removing the slider.

Find pliers, you can use wire cutters, or even a hammer

Find a place near the fastener where the inner space is empty, and not where the partition is. This is the part closer to the bottom of the jacket, as a rule.

Try to squeeze this edge with pliers to such an extent that the upper and lower walls touch each other with an edge.

After releasing the pliers, you will see that the edges will again move away for some distance, but already less.

Try to check the fastening of the zipper, if it starts to fasten, then everything is fine ...

koposhilki.ru

If the zipper is still not very well fastened, then you will have to remove the slider ...

To remove a faulty lock, it is necessary to remove the limiter on one or both halves of the fasteners. On one - if the lightning has a detachable connection at the bottom. The limiter is most often a metal bracket that prevents the “dog” from jumping out of the band with teeth.

This bracket will need to be carefully unbent with an awl or a thin screwdriver and completely removed from the strip of fabric-base of the "zipper".

After the limiter is removed, the slider is taken out through the zippers upwards. We see that it is really distorted and therefore the lightning does not work...

We clamp the slider with pliers, correct its curvature

Pressing on one side and the other

We put the corrected slider on a zipper

Putting the limiter in place

And we clamp it with pliers.

Checking if the zipper is closed...

ladyzest.com

It happens that there is no limiter on the zipper, and the fold of the fastener fabric with subsequent firmware serves as the limiter. In this case, the edge must be cut.. If this is difficult to do, then you can proceed as follows:

We will need small pliers (or nail clippers, or a flathead screwdriver) and large pliers

We introduce the flat end of the tool (screwdriver, for example) under the clamp of the slider and squeeze it slightly,

So that it can be easily removed from the zipper.

Insert the pliers into the slider as shown here to widen it a bit.

Just don't overdo it or you'll break it.

Then we insert the zipper slider again ...

And then, with small pliers or nail clippers, gently press the sides

After such manipulations, the lock simply has to work: o)

Replacing the slider with a zipper

Pressing the lock, of course, is a useful thing ...
But such resuscitation can be carried out only once, the castle will no longer withstand and will fall apart completely. Therefore, if you managed to save your lightning once, then try to prepare a spare slider - just in case of a fire.

It is possible to qualitatively repair such a fastener on clothes or shoes without completely replacing it, only by replacing the entire lock. Even on a high-quality fastener, it fails first of all, since a constant physical effort is applied to it, and its area is relatively small compared to the area of all the teeth.

To determine which lock you need to purchase, you need to know several parameters. On the back of your "dog" look and remember the number that is stamped there. These can be numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, which indicate the width of the fastener in millimeters.

Determine the type of lock: it can be automatic - a mechanism that will not allow the clasp to unfasten in any position is inside; semi-automatic - unfastening is possible only with a raised "tongue"; haberdashery - when the teeth of the lightning are not blocked, and there is no stopper in the mechanism.

It must be remembered that sliders change on metal and plastic zippers of outerwear. On trousers and skirts, the replacement of the dog is impossible due to the specifics.
The zipper unzips and the slider remains on one half of the zipper. The upper limiter is carefully removed with a screwdriver and pliers. If the edge of the zipper next to the stopper is very close to the fabric, then it will need to be slightly undercut (this is rare).
The zipper itself needs to be fastened. After that, without much effort, completely remove the lock from the side of the removed limiters. new castle install in place of the old one, tucking the edges of the guide tape into the grooves of the “dog”. After the lock is installed, use pliers to clamp, putting in place, metal stops or sew on the ripped fabric.

What to do if the slider tongue breaks off

Many have faced this situation. When fastening a zipper on boots or a jacket, the tongue comes off and remains in the hands. This usually happens when something hits the slider and jams it, or if the lightning works very tight. If the mount on the pawl has not broken off, then for a short time the usual paper clip, a pin or a piece of sufficiently strong thin wire. In the future, you can either make a decent tongue from improvised materials (for example, use a small keychain), or replace the dog.

How to replace a dog

If the fastener on a jacket, boots or sweater has begun to diverge, then you should not immediately change it. First, the clothes must be carefully examined and, if all the teeth on the zipper are intact, there are no signs of wear, scuffs or chips, then, most likely, it is enough to replace only the slider. It is not difficult to check this.

It is necessary to slightly press the dog with pliers, holding it from above and below, and then slightly squeeze the straight part of the slider from the sides (from the side of the fastened zipper). After the manipulations, the clasp will work normally, but not for long. This method will allow you to fasten the clothes 2-3 times, and also make sure that it is the slider that has broken.

The easiest way is to replace the slider on a jacket, coat or sweater (where the zipper is detachable).

Before you go to the store, you need to decide what kind of “dog” you should buy. The fact is that a slider made for a plastic "tractor" lightning will not fit a metal or twisted one. In addition, depending on the size of the teeth, the "dogs" differ in numbers. Usually the number is printed on the back of the slider.

It is difficult for a non-professional to make a choice, therefore the best option will be - to take with you the removed "dog" as a sample. It is also advisable to take a picture of the lightning itself and take a photo with you.

Together with the new slider, you need to buy two metal limiters.

To work, you will need side cutters. Pliers and an awl may come in handy. When everything is ready, you can get to work:

First of all, you need to remove the upper limiters from the zipper. Metal - unbend and remove, plastic - carefully, so as not to damage the fabric, bite off with side cutters.
Carefully put the slider on the teeth. This should be done slowly, without pressure, slightly shaking the slider from side to side.
Check the operation of the fastener (unfasten and fasten several times), slightly without bringing the "dog" to the top.
Put new limiters in place of the old ones and clamp them with side cutters.

In order to replace the "dog" with a one-piece zipper, for example, on trousers, you will have to undermine the lower part of the zipper, replace it, and then sew up the ripped place.

It is very difficult to replace the slider on boots or other shoes on your own, since you will have to rip off and hem the lower part of the lock, which is sewn between the skin. Doing this manually without special tools and skills is not advisable, as you can ruin things. It is better to turn to specialists.

How to avoid lightning breaks longer

In order for the clasp on shoes or outerwear to last longer, it is advisable to occasionally clean them from adhering dirt and particles of fabric. For these purposes, an old toothbrush is perfect.

Lubrication of the teeth prevents jamming and premature wear of the zipper. To do this, you can run a piece of paraffin or wax candle over them several times. Very good lubricant - ordinary graphite. It is enough to draw a few times on the teeth with a pencil lead. This work should be done carefully so as not to stain the clothes.

It is necessary to wean yourself from pulling the tongue if the lightning did not work right away. It is better to lower the engine down, straighten the edges with teeth, remove foreign objects from the fastener and, slowly, fasten again.

Subject to these simple rules, lightning after repair can last for a very long time.