Need YKK drysuit zipper seller.

Sorry, didn't see the posting saying that you got a new zipper before I
posted.
But at least you got the way to do it! If you need a Viking zipper
protection patch
I'll be able to forward one for ca. US$ 15,- + posting.

Dag

Sorry, didn't see the posting saying that you got a new zipper before I
posted.
But at least you got the way to do it! If you need a Viking zipper
protection patch
I'll be able to forward one for ca. US$ 15,- + posting.

Dag

Dag Deberitz wrote:
> "Dave C" <dcalderbank@top.monad.net> skrev i melding
> news:1163603815.899462.180200@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> > Anyone here able to tell me who sells YKK drysuit zippers by the unit,
> > and what's the typical price?
> >
> > I'm looking to purchase a single 32", standard 8-tooth per inch, YKK
> > waterproof zipper, which I intend to install myself.
snip
> > Saw a 34" on eBay sell for about $65 recently, but they aren't listed
> > frequently.
snip
>
> Give me a try, Dave C!

Hi Dag,

Thank you very much for providing your expertise! I'll study your
recommendatons and consider you for future zipper purchases!

> I have a lot of used YKK=BDM zippers that are'nt so worn. I have the
> experience that BDM-zippers are longer lasting than the similar looking
> YKK-zippers!

That's good to know. The zipper I just purchased was actually a BDM,
also marked with "YKK". Reportedly, YKK owns BDM, so that makes sense.

> And I have access to new ones at reasonable prices too. By tomorrow I will
> check out what you ave to pay for such a zipper from here. ( I used to run a
> dive center/dive school 10 years ago, but now I only dive as a hobby! See:
> http://www.forcefin.com/FF_PAGES/FF_...g_deberitz.htm
>
> 32", -is that the distance between the rubber knobs?

Yes.

> What type of drysuit do you intend to change zipper on?

It's a shell suit (DUI CLX 450). At some point, my DUI TLS 350 will
need a new zipper, too, but it's only a spare, so it will last a while.

I'll email you and request zipper pricing for future purchases,
assuming I still want to replace my own zippers after this first
attempt! 8^)

> I have during a period of more than 25 years repaired drysuits for my diving
> friends and have been changing of zippers and latex sleeves in addition to
> ordinary patching of such suits. Mostly on shell suits.

I'm just a do-it-yourselfer and have been replacing my own latex seals
on my shell drysuits. I wanted to try replacing my own zipper on my DUI
CLX 450, since I have access to a good sewing machine.

What I have learned is that this zipper is sewn in, rather than glued.
Replacement requires removing the old zipper and Aquaseal, followed by
sewing in the new zipper. That's followed by sealing with the Aquaseal,
taking some care to create the proper bend that will go over the
shoulder (diagonal front entry type).

I haven't figured out if the bend should also be created while sewing,
but I don't think so.

Just as an aside, for my latex seal replacement, I've been using a
single part contact cement called S-18 and it works very well. I don't
know how it compares to the 2-part cements you mentioned, but it's
tenaciously strong, requiring heat to release it's grip. It's also easy
to use and inexpensive (about 10 USD per liter). Plus, it's got a long
shelf-life (5-7 years after opening.)

That's not intended as advice to you, since I respect your long
experience!

snip

> The use of the old zipper as base
> will effectively reduce the bending hazard of the new zipper when you roll
> the suit together and store it . My experience is that a new zipper glued on
> this way will live much longer than the original one.

This is a very interesting tip! I'll give that some thought.

snip

> See here for the Viking Drysuit user's manual:
> http://www.trelleborg.com/protective...glish_0306.pdf.
> Much nice tips here for better preservation of drysuits.

Very helpful site!

> Reply me if you want to dagbritz@DELETEtele2.no, but remove the letters
> DELETE in the adress. Send me digital pic's of the old zipper if you have
> additional questions in this matter.
snip

Thanks again, Dag. I'll email you for a price.

> This is not a commercial ad, but a private help offer to a fellow diver from
> a Norwegian cold water dysuit diver that have sniffed 2 component glue for
> decades! ;o)

8^)

> Best regards,
> Dag Deberitz, Stavern, Vestfold County,
> Norway (=The land of the Vikings! ;oD)

Kindest regards to you.

Dave C

Dag Deberitz wrote:
> "Dave C" <dcalderbank@top.monad.net> skrev i melding
> news:1163603815.899462.180200@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> > Anyone here able to tell me who sells YKK drysuit zippers by the unit,
> > and what's the typical price?
> >
> > I'm looking to purchase a single 32", standard 8-tooth per inch, YKK
> > waterproof zipper, which I intend to install myself.
snip
> > Saw a 34" on eBay sell for about $65 recently, but they aren't listed
> > frequently.
snip
>
> Give me a try, Dave C!

Hi Dag,

Thank you very much for providing your expertise! I'll study your
recommendatons and consider you for future zipper purchases!

> I have a lot of used YKK=BDM zippers that are'nt so worn. I have the
> experience that BDM-zippers are longer lasting than the similar looking
> YKK-zippers!

That's good to know. The zipper I just purchased was actually a BDM,
also marked with "YKK". Reportedly, YKK owns BDM, so that makes sense.

> And I have access to new ones at reasonable prices too. By tomorrow I will
> check out what you ave to pay for such a zipper from here. ( I used to run a
> dive center/dive school 10 years ago, but now I only dive as a hobby! See:
> http://www.forcefin.com/FF_PAGES/FF_...g_deberitz.htm
>
> 32", -is that the distance between the rubber knobs?

Yes.

> What type of drysuit do you intend to change zipper on?

It's a shell suit (DUI CLX 450). At some point, my DUI TLS 350 will
need a new zipper, too, but it's only a spare, so it will last a while.

I'll email you and request zipper pricing for future purchases,
assuming I still want to replace my own zippers after this first
attempt! 8^)

> I have during a period of more than 25 years repaired drysuits for my diving
> friends and have been changing of zippers and latex sleeves in addition to
> ordinary patching of such suits. Mostly on shell suits.

I'm just a do-it-yourselfer and have been replacing my own latex seals
on my shell drysuits. I wanted to try replacing my own zipper on my DUI
CLX 450, since I have access to a good sewing machine.

What I have learned is that this zipper is sewn in, rather than glued.
Replacement requires removing the old zipper and Aquaseal, followed by
sewing in the new zipper. That's followed by sealing with the Aquaseal,
taking some care to create the proper bend that will go over the
shoulder (diagonal front entry type).

I haven't figured out if the bend should also be created while sewing,
but I don't think so.

Just as an aside, for my latex seal replacement, I've been using a
single part contact cement called S-18 and it works very well. I don't
know how it compares to the 2-part cements you mentioned, but it's
tenaciously strong, requiring heat to release it's grip. It's also easy
to use and inexpensive (about 10 USD per liter). Plus, it's got a long
shelf-life (5-7 years after opening.)

That's not intended as advice to you, since I respect your long
experience!

snip

> The use of the old zipper as base
> will effectively reduce the bending hazard of the new zipper when you roll
> the suit together and store it . My experience is that a new zipper glued on
> this way will live much longer than the original one.

This is a very interesting tip! I'll give that some thought.

snip

> See here for the Viking Drysuit user's manual:
> http://www.trelleborg.com/protective...glish_0306.pdf.
> Much nice tips here for better preservation of drysuits.

Very helpful site!

> Reply me if you want to dagbritz@DELETEtele2.no, but remove the letters
> DELETE in the adress. Send me digital pic's of the old zipper if you have
> additional questions in this matter.
snip

Thanks again, Dag. I'll email you for a price.

> This is not a commercial ad, but a private help offer to a fellow diver from
> a Norwegian cold water dysuit diver that have sniffed 2 component glue for
> decades! ;o)

8^)

> Best regards,
> Dag Deberitz, Stavern, Vestfold County,
> Norway (=The land of the Vikings! ;oD)

Kindest regards to you.

Dave C

Anyone here able to tell me who sells YKK drysuit zippers by the unit,
and what's the typical price?

I'm looking to purchase a single 32", standard 8-tooth per inch, YKK
waterproof zipper, which I intend to install myself.

Didn't find one on Google yet (still trying).

A major drysuit repair center about 60 miles away doesn't carry that
size.

Haven't heard back from YKK's sales office yet.

Saw a 34" on eBay sell for about $65 recently, but they aren't listed
frequently.

Thanks in advance.

Dave C

RayC wrote:
> Dave C wrote:
> > Anyone here able to tell me who sells YKK drysuit zippers by the unit,
> > and what's the typical price?
snip
> I do not have one available, but just to let you know that YKK had a
> MAJOR price increase on the diving grade zippers recently.
>
> Good hunting!

Thanks, Ray.

By the way, from your vantage point, is YKK the most popular zipper
being used?

Any idea what the price range was and will be?

Dave C

Dave C wrote:
>
> Thanks, Ray.
>
> By the way, from your vantage point, is YKK the most popular zipper
> being used?
>
> Any idea what the price range was and will be?
>
> Dave C
>

YKK is the biggest player in the waterproof zipper biz. They gobbled up
all the other guys and are just about the only show in town. Last year
a 32" listed around $80. This year you can expect $100 or more. Price
is up because there is a severe shortage. Seems the Chinese are buying
up just about all YKK can produce for their crappy drysuits that are
getting dumped in the EU and the US.


--
Ray Contreras
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Webmonkey for:
http://www.ossystems.com
http://www.bobs-garage.com
http://www.holugt-usa.com
http://www.rayzplace.com

Dave C wrote:
> Anyone here able to tell me who sells YKK drysuit zippers by the unit,
> and what's the typical price?
>
> I'm looking to purchase a single 32", standard 8-tooth per inch, YKK
> waterproof zipper, which I intend to install myself.
snip
> Saw a 34" on eBay sell for about $65 recently, but they aren't listed
> frequently.

For those who might be interested, I contacted the eBay seller and she
listed some other YKK drysuit zippers at a reasonable price, $75 + $7
S&H, so, two days ago, I purchased one and received it today. Excellent
transaction. (Please note, I am not associated with this seller, other
than being a satisfied customer.)

Now I have another winter project waiting for me! 8^)

Best regards to all.

Dave C

Sorry, didn't see the posting saying that you got a new zipper before I
posted.
But at least you got the way to do it! If you need a Viking zipper
protection patch
I'll be able to forward one for ca. US$ 15,- + posting.

Dag

Dag Deberitz wrote:
> "Dave C" <dcalderbank@top.monad.net> skrev i melding
> news:1163603815.899462.180200@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> > Anyone here able to tell me who sells YKK drysuit zippers by the unit,
> > and what's the typical price?
> >
> > I'm looking to purchase a single 32", standard 8-tooth per inch, YKK
> > waterproof zipper, which I intend to install myself.
snip
> > Saw a 34" on eBay sell for about $65 recently, but they aren't listed
> > frequently.
snip
>
> Give me a try, Dave C!

Hi Dag,

Thank you very much for providing your expertise! I'll study your
recommendatons and consider you for future zipper purchases!

> I have a lot of used YKK=BDM zippers that are'nt so worn. I have the
> experience that BDM-zippers are longer lasting than the similar looking
> YKK-zippers!

That's good to know. The zipper I just purchased was actually a BDM,
also marked with "YKK". Reportedly, YKK owns BDM, so that makes sense.

> And I have access to new ones at reasonable prices too. By tomorrow I will
> check out what you ave to pay for such a zipper from here. ( I used to run a
> dive center/dive school 10 years ago, but now I only dive as a hobby! See:
> http://www.forcefin.com/FF_PAGES/FF_...g_deberitz.htm
>
> 32", -is that the distance between the rubber knobs?

Yes.

> What type of drysuit do you intend to change zipper on?

It's a shell suit (DUI CLX 450). At some point, my DUI TLS 350 will
need a new zipper, too, but it's only a spare, so it will last a while.

I'll email you and request zipper pricing for future purchases,
assuming I still want to replace my own zippers after this first
attempt! 8^)

> I have during a period of more than 25 years repaired drysuits for my diving
> friends and have been changing of zippers and latex sleeves in addition to
> ordinary patching of such suits. Mostly on shell suits.

I'm just a do-it-yourselfer and have been replacing my own latex seals
on my shell drysuits. I wanted to try replacing my own zipper on my DUI
CLX 450, since I have access to a good sewing machine.

What I have learned is that this zipper is sewn in, rather than glued.
Replacement requires removing the old zipper and Aquaseal, followed by
sewing in the new zipper. That's followed by sealing with the Aquaseal,
taking some care to create the proper bend that will go over the
shoulder (diagonal front entry type).

I haven't figured out if the bend should also be created while sewing,
but I don't think so.

Just as an aside, for my latex seal replacement, I've been using a
single part contact cement called S-18 and it works very well. I don't
know how it compares to the 2-part cements you mentioned, but it's
tenaciously strong, requiring heat to release it's grip. It's also easy
to use and inexpensive (about 10 USD per liter). Plus, it's got a long
shelf-life (5-7 years after opening.)

That's not intended as advice to you, since I respect your long
experience!

snip

> The use of the old zipper as base
> will effectively reduce the bending hazard of the new zipper when you roll
> the suit together and store it . My experience is that a new zipper glued on
> this way will live much longer than the original one.

This is a very interesting tip! I'll give that some thought.

snip

> See here for the Viking Drysuit user's manual:
> http://www.trelleborg.com/protective...glish_0306.pdf.
> Much nice tips here for better preservation of drysuits.

Very helpful site!

> Reply me if you want to dagbritz@DELETEtele2.no, but remove the letters
> DELETE in the adress. Send me digital pic's of the old zipper if you have
> additional questions in this matter.
snip

Thanks again, Dag. I'll email you for a price.

> This is not a commercial ad, but a private help offer to a fellow diver from
> a Norwegian cold water dysuit diver that have sniffed 2 component glue for
> decades! ;o)

8^)

> Best regards,
> Dag Deberitz, Stavern, Vestfold County,
> Norway (=The land of the Vikings! ;oD)

Kindest regards to you.

Dave C