Tree Reaper Posted January 31, 2015 Report Posted January 31, 2015 I use E-Z snap and zipper lubricant, it helps too. Quote
Matt T Posted January 31, 2015 Report Posted January 31, 2015 Monica, you won't get the same ease of operation with a metal zipper, but it will look better and last longer. Did you make the bag in your pictures? Looks nice! Quote Leathercraft supplies
Members Avgvstvs Posted January 31, 2015 Members Report Posted January 31, 2015 Wait... is that the famous black lady attorney bag? Quote
Members MonicaJacobson Posted January 31, 2015 Author Members Report Posted January 31, 2015 Thanks, Tree Reaper, I'll look it up. Matt - yes, that's what I was trying to convince her of. Maybe I'll buy the pre-made Riri zipper from buckleguy, lubricate it, and tell her she'll be much happier in the end. As for the bag... yes, I did, thanksLOL, Avg - that's the one. Quote http://monicajacobson.com/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/TrimGoTrix?ref=si_shop
Members thefanninator Posted February 1, 2015 Members Report Posted February 1, 2015 Bump. Been thinking about getting some Riri also. Bought a practice zipper the other day at Hobby Lobby and it's pretty weak. It's says C&C on it. Quote http://www.instagram.com/fannintexas/
Members Tinkerton Posted February 1, 2015 Members Report Posted February 1, 2015 A tad off topic, but that's a gorgeous bag! Quote
Members MonicaJacobson Posted February 1, 2015 Author Members Report Posted February 1, 2015 Chris, I got YKK zippers on etsy for a really good price. Not saying you should get some, but they're well respected, and might be a cheaper experimental zipper than Riri. Speaking of sacrificial experimentals, and Tinkerton's very nice comment (thank you, btw!).... lol, the zipper I installed in that bag failed, I found out yesterday. After a month of use. So.... lucky me, I get to put in a new one. I'll probably buy a Riri from buckle guy just because I want to try them, and because it's a very heavy use bag. So, as I'm sure you guys will want to know what exactly caused it to fail, I think it's because I used a pricking iron to make holes in the actual zipper tape. In retrospect, idiotic. I only did it the one time (fortunately), but it caused the zipper to fray out. Now, my question is... should I have backed up the zipper with a thin lining leather to give the fabric extra strength? I have no idea. Quote http://monicajacobson.com/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/TrimGoTrix?ref=si_shop
Matt T Posted February 2, 2015 Report Posted February 2, 2015 Good catch on using the pricking iron on the zipper tape.. I've done it myself without problems, but never had a high stress zipper situation. Something to keep in mind! Thanks Quote Leathercraft supplies
Members dq7133 Posted August 31, 2015 Members Report Posted August 31, 2015 I've had similar problems with two-way zippers. The teeth on two-way brass chain have a slightly different shape, so the slider can be installed both ways, but it's not perfect and it ends up catching a lot. We've been experimenting with the following (more expensive) alternatives to standard YKK brass chain. YKK's Excella line YKK's Everbrite line UCAN's G2 line I'm not a big fan of UCAN's standard brass zipper, but we've had success with their high-end G2 line. They manufacture in California, so you avoid the 4-6 week lead time that comes with a large YKK order. They can usually turn around custom cut and die orders in 10 business days. Quote
Members JosiahReed Posted June 5, 2024 Members Report Posted June 5, 2024 Ykk standard zipper chain is garbage. Every zipper I made with this had your same issues. I tried everything, paraffin wax.. and I did notice that with one way zipper chain you must instal the pull going the right direction for smooth operation. This didn't help me. They literally wouldn't work at all. But you get what you pay for and if you felt the teeth on the ykk standard chain they were really rough and sharp! (not good for smooth operation.. this is why nylon zips are so smooth) Enter Buckle Guy - I spent about 400 on Riri zipper size 4 and 6 one way chain. This was before they switched everything over to the combi chain (2 way zipper teeth) and I had much better success with that. But sadly their one way chain also has issues. All zipper tape has lines on it marking different spacing options. This was when I discovered zipper guide to help me glue my leather at the correct spacing for the zip to work smooth as butter. If you buy a zipper guide it's a little easier but I have had a lot of luck with just gluing up to 2 mm away from the edge of the line I want to use on the zipper tape (so glue won't show after you stitch the leather to your zipper tape. Riri zipper tape is also the softest weave fabric that absorbs glue great and has multiple spacing lines. I also find that the teeth cut easier than ykk. They pop right off leaving the zipper tape nice. And if my pliers ever catch the tape I just take my lighter and clean up the tape after removing the teeth with a couple quick passes to burn away all the fray and mess. RiRI combi teeth are great and shouldn't give you any issues! Ykk Excella also have great reviews as other lux zip brands like Lampo. I will say I wish I had those fancy Riri zipper stop pliers. They look awesome! Not sure they still make them. I recommend Buckleguy because they now carry all Combi teeth. They have many tape colors and teeth finish options compared to other suppliers. And honestly they have the best price on zippers and all the needed add ons like top and bottom stops, pulls and spacers! Quote
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