A good sturdy zipper can provide years and years of service, but usually the zipper pull is the first part to break. It’s wasteful to replace an entire bag or jacket because such a small part stopped working, but the pull is absolutely necessary for easy use. Sure, you can wrap duct tape around a paper clip to fix the problem, but that solution is often prone to further breakage. What’s more, it looks ugly and is often uncomfortable to use. You can get a lot more use out of your zipper if you use thermoplastic – a strong, rigid plastic that becomes soft and malleable when immersed in boiling water. Combining it with some sturdy wire from a binder clip, you can build a strong replacement zipper pull that feels great to use and looks good for a home repair.
You can buy Shapelock, a Brand of Thermoplastic, in the Maker Shed
