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Hookless Zipper Mishap!

ericsanpablo

New Member
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had experience with hookless zippers here, and might be able to help me? The other day I zipped up my jacket a bit too quickly, and I guess the teeth were not engaged properly. I basically couldn't pull the zipper down! Luckily, I was able to squirm out of the jacket somehow, but the only way I was able to unzip the jacket was forcibly. In hindsight, I probably should not have done that, but I acted in haste as I felt a little panicked!

I think I may have damaged the zipper though, because it will no longer zip up and down (it always gets stuck on the way down now). I was able to use some needle nose pliers to squeeze the zipper together a bit, and that actually worked for an evening. I left the jacket zipped ovenright, and this morning tried it on again, but lo and behold it got stuck again.

Is this something I can repair, or replace myself by any chance? I've attached some pics of the current state of the zipper pull. Thank you so much for any potential advice.
 

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Ken at Aero Leather

Well-Known Member
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had experience with hookless zippers here, and might be able to help me? The other day I zipped up my jacket a bit too quickly, and I guess the teeth were not engaged properly. I basically couldn't pull the zipper down! Luckily, I was able to squirm out of the jacket somehow, but the only way I was able to unzip the jacket was forcibly. In hindsight, I probably should not have done that, but I acted in haste as I felt a little panicked!

I think I may have damaged the zipper though, because it will no longer zip up and down (it always gets stuck on the way down now). I was able to use some needle nose pliers to squeeze the zipper together a bit, and that actually worked for an evening. I left the jacket zipped ovenright, and this morning tried it on again, but lo and behold it got stuck again.

Is this something I can repair, or replace myself by any chance? I've attached some pics of the current state of the zipper pull. Thank you so much for any potential advice.


You've totally buggered the slider (excuse the Technical Terminology) by not engaging the male side properly before doing it up.

You've tried squeezing the now oversized gap between the front and back with pliers, that usually works but only until the next time if you fail to zip it up properly.

It sounds like you'll need to get a new slider to replace the original but we aware, if you don't operate it properly it'll break again

FACT : If these zippers are properly engaged before zipping up they are totally bombproof and will last forever.

I should have asked, who made your jacket?
 

ericsanpablo

New Member
Ah, I was afraid that happened, thank you kindly for the reply Ken.

The jacket is a Freewheelers Mulholland. I had known that a bit more care was involved zipping it up vs my other jackets (one of which is a board racer which I love, by the way!), but I guess this one time I was a bit careless and alas ... lesson learned!

Would this be the correct way to replace the slider? -

I'm not sure, because the top stop looks like the attached picture - https://www.dropbox.com/s/rxvrpgnaqs3cfiu/IMG_5078.JPG?dl=0

Do you know where I might be able to obtain the proper replacement?

Thank you again for your help
 

Ken at Aero Leather

Well-Known Member
Bloody Hell, she's rough with those pliers, must have been a dominatrix in a previous life!
Squeeze the stopper open gently or you risk tearing the tape.

Get in touch with Freewheelers . If their customer service is up to scratch they supply one by return, if they won't you'll know to shop elsewhere in the future.
 

Ken at Aero Leather

Well-Known Member
Ha I was thinking that as well when she tugged it off - it was a little scary.

You think something like this would work as a worst case scenario alternative - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/VTG-Brass-1...811114?hash=item3b000b4d2a:g:oegAAOSwWnFWCoez

If you buy the zipper you can practice using it for a couple of days before removing the puller............might help avoid a second instalment of this post.
Don't feel too bad about it..............You aren't the first to do this and I guess you won't be the last :>)
 

dmar836

Well-Known Member
Wow. Yeah, don't do it like she did! You can clip the stop in the middle with side cutters to weaken it then use either pliers or two dull blades to force it apart. I wouldn't be surprised if that tape isn't badly snagged now. Certainly cotton wouldn't fair too well with that treatment.
 

ericsanpablo

New Member
Thanks for the advice guys, glad I didn't do what she did straight away! I haven't heard back from Freewheelers yet unfortunately, but am still holding out hope. Otherwise, I think the original zipper was a #8 Waldes zipper, does anyone know where I can source that? I just emailed them, but just thought to ask here as well :)
 

ericsanpablo

New Member
So i pulled the slider off, and it seems pretty badly mangled - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bjqyse1pj418m10/AAAbOL2JnpwPZzVLCL57YY7Xa?dl=0

Is this mendable with some tlc, or is it pretty much a goner? Freewheelers is being a pain, and won't send me a replacement slider. They'll only fix it in house, but after shipping, etc., it'll end up being prohibitively expensive! Does anyone know where I can source a replacement zipper by any chance? I'm guessing it has to be a waldes hookless #8, or will any #8 work?

Thanks!
 

zoomer

Well-Known Member
The Hookless/Waldes repros are metal-anchored - yours probably has grommets or rivets at the bottom - and only sold to the trade, so you probably have to find a jacket maker who uses them routinely to do the work.

I don’t think components are available, probably because the zips are a gold mine for wholesalers and installers alike.
 

zoomer

Well-Known Member
Be glad you don't need a Kwik #8, such as is fitted to my ELC HLB A-2. ELC has the rights to make or sell those completely sewn up...and grommeted down. (Happily, it seems more rugged than their Hooklesses.)

IMG_0322.jpg
 
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