Zipper madness!

[DanaStanley]

I want to stock a couple size zippers for bags/chaps/and wallets. I looked at different sites online and found one common thread. None of them have a simple way of selecting or finding what you need! It is all jumbled, and you need to poke around. You should be able to select size/color/finish/length/lock /no lock/alum/brass/plastic. Pulls/and various parts.

I want to make custom lengths, and stock some various parts as buying at specified lengths seems much more expensive. It also limits your choices. What do you do as far as stocking zippers, and where do you buy them? What other advice can you give me about zippers. I don't want to use something that may fall apart. I have chaps I bought 20 years ago, and the zipper is still working fine! 

Edited April 5, 2022 by DanaStanley

[suzelle]

YKK is major zipper manufacturer. Look that up, might help. YKK Heavy Duty.

[Tugadude]

I've heard good things from people who do business with The Buckle Guy and they do feature zippers and components.  Might be worth investigating.

https://www.buckleguy.com/riri-zipper-chain/

Springfield Leather Co. is one that I go to for many leather items.  They also feature zippers and zipper-related components.

https://www.springfieldleather.com/search?keywords=zipper&page=1

[mike02130]

YKK are popular and come in many colors.  They have an Excella line that is higher end that work well.  The downside is the lack of variety for the pulls.  Not really an issue if you're OK with basic designs.  Riri are excellent and I think they are slightly better, but not by much.  They have more choices for pulls.  The Excella cloth is nicer having a pattern to the cloth and is shinier (maybe polyester or a blend?).  The Riri cloth is more cotton looking and the color has more of a matt finish.  They are sized my millimeters.  Riri--M4, M6, M8 and so on.  YKK--3, 5, 6 etc.

I choose them by the size that looks best for the item.  Small items I use a Riri M4, the YKK 3 is too small for me.  Larger sizes I choose on a case by case basis according to the size of my work.  

You will need "top" and "bottom stops" and pulls for the specific size and brand.

Some of the information and pictured examples can be confusing.  They have "open end", "closed end" and a crap load of other variations as you can see here, https://www.riri.com/products/riri/executions/.  Don't get confused and let that get you in a tither.  What you want to do is simple.  Buy a length of "single chain" zipper tape, plenty of top and bottom stops and some pulls.

Rocky Mountain Leather carries YKK Excella and Buckleguy.com carries Riri.  

Buy the stuff then come back here for help figuring them out.

Edited April 5, 2022 by mike02130
add stuff

[suzelle]

8 minutes ago, mike02130 said:

 

Buy the stuff then come back here for help figuring them out.

Yes! Yes! Please come back & share. I'm going to be searching out some good venders for those parts soon too! I want to do some bags, wallets, backpacks.

[Tejas]

Mike01230 provides a link for open- and closed-end types of zippers. The choice it seems to me often depends upon the application. Sailright describes these kinds of zippers as finished zippers and continuous zippers. Most of your our applications are different than typical Sailright applications, but the principles are similar, and Sailright has some videos you might want to view.

https://www.sailrite.com/Zipper-All-Questions-Answered-about-Zippers-Streaming-Video

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by Tejas

[DanaStanley]

Thank you all for chiming in. I have been doing my homework, and watching videos, looking at manufacturer sites etc. as well as a bunch of retailers, some mentioned here. I think the closed end smaller stuff, Closed end for wallets and bags is simple. It's the open end #10 for chaps that I am having issues with. If you buy just what you need and shorten the top, no issue, but it's $10.00 per leg! If I get 5 yards, I can make them up, but installing the bottom stop and pin isn't recommended, as they use a press at the factory. I believe I can do it as I fabricate metal and can make a small press punch for my button press that would replicate what they do. For me this is the fun stuff. 

My main issue is the nice metal YKK zipper in a #10 doesn't seem to come in the 3- or 5-yard lengths. I can get it in plastic, but I'm not sure if that would be great for chaps! I'd be happy if I can get it down to $5.00 a leg #10 YKK metal zipper. My own self-imposed parameter! The one in my chaps has lasted 20 years. I think it's aluminum YKK 10! 

The best catalogue I found is from Ideal. At least it is set up in a comprehendible order, unlike any of the websites that offer zippers. Thanks again for the input! I have learned so much in the last week or so about zippers, snaps, and dies. There is a lot to this leather craft!

[DanaStanley]

Well, I just took a look at Buckle Guy $44.00 for a 3' zipper RiRi! I'm gonna have to adjust my expectations! Zipper Stop on Amazon 3' $10.50 YKK. Ok so the zipper stop site has 144" $27.50 Aluminum YKK! The aluminum is good for chaps as it wont rust.

Ta Daaaa That Zipper Stop has 36" #10 Aluminum (Chaps) open zippers $6.99 on their site . I spent 4 hours today looking for this!!

Edited April 6, 2022 by DanaStanley

[suzelle]

Great info! Thanks Dana for sharing. Will have to check out the ones that you researched. 

[DanaStanley]

10 hours ago, suzelle said:

Great info! Thanks Dana for sharing. Will have to check out the ones that you researched. 

I Ordered some from Zipper Stop but another one that looks promising is Ohio Travel Bag. Well organized site, tons of leather hardware and tools, as well as Zippers and zipper stuff. Whdlesale Hardware for Handbag, Leathercraft & Repair Industries (ohiotravelbag.com) The prices are very reasonable!