Silly question: is there an easy way to undo the zipper cord pulls?

[ncb4]

Today one of the zipper cord pulls that came with my Plum Side Effect came loose: one side of the black cord slid out of the two-piece plastic mechanism that's supposed to hold it together. Try as I might, I can't disengage the unit in order to slide the end of the cord back in. Is there a trick to doing this? Thanks!

[Moose]

How to add Cord Zipper Pulls to your Tri-Star

ncb4, At the bottom of this post (link above) Darcy explains how to take the zipper pull apart. I thought I remembered Maverick doing a video showing how to change them that might have been helpful. I couldn't find it though.

Hope this helps, good luck,
Moose

[ncb4]

Thanks for that link, Moose: I've been trying what Darcy suggested at the end, but so far no luck. (And I'm heeding her warning not to stab myself in the hand with the screwdriver!)

[darbs]

It took me seriously, 20+ minutes to get one zipper cord on. I watched the video several times. I figured out eventually and so will you. Just keep trying!

[ncb4]

I can get them on: but with this pre-installed pull on the SE that came loose, the problem is disassembling it first, so I can the re-attach it. That's what's proving so tricky.

[Moose]

Can you put up a photo of the broken one? I could be that if someone sees it they can offer more assistance than I can. I'm sure Katy or Darcy will know what to do.
Moose

[backpack]

The product page which contains the official directions and Maverick video.

Cord Zipper Pulls by: TOM BIHN

I second Moose idea, posting some photos would be good, we can see which side has popped off.

[marbenais]

I've had one end of the cords pull out of the holder on the two most recent bags I purchased -- it looks like the melted ends of the cords aren't as sturdy as they used to be, they pull out when they're no longer sealed/finished. I use my Leatherman or another sharp knife to slip into the space between the two plastic parts and push them apart. It's hard to describe but it's worked for me.

[Moose]

Thanks backpack, I looked through every one of Maverick's posts. Think that took a bit? Couldn't find it anywhere, I knew it was out there, guess my search-fu is weaker than usual today.
Take care,
Moose

[ncb4]

Thank you both, moose and marbenais. I think if I can find a knife with a thin enough blade, I can try to do what you described, marbenais. Meanwhile, I serendipitously found a leftover packet of cord pulls (I ordered a set to install on a Co-Pilot a while back, and only needed five of the eight.) I used one of those on my Side Effect, and that gives me time to see if I can repair the old one.

[backpack]

Thanks backpack, I looked through every one of Maverick's posts. Think that took a bit? Couldn't find it anywhere, I knew it was out there, guess my search-fu is weaker than usual today.
Take care,
Moose

I think Darcy just added the video and detailed instructions to the product page.

This is the first place I go when somebody ask a "technical" question such as dimensions, the way things works and so on.

I think this video is so new that it is not even on Maverick's video series, only on the product page.


I know the feeling about trying to find a piece of info that is somewhere in cyberspace and it would be really handy to have it now, but the maze of data gets in a way of getting it.

So frustrating.

PS: I always smile when I see your Plum list.

[darbs]

My Red Oxx CPA is makes so much noise with the zippers and the metal hardware. I never even noticed it until I got my little Side Effect and realized how quiet it is with the zipper cords on it instead of metal zipper tabs. Then I got my MCB and it has one metal zipper pull on it that seems to make so much noise! Luckily I've got a pack of the TB zipper cords to replace it with. I know there is another thread on here about how to pull the metal ones off and then put the cord ones on. It makes such a difference! And the video is on the zipper cord product page down on the left side. backpack posted the link a few comments up. I did have to watch the video several times before I figured it out, but it is totally worth the effort.

[moriond]

I think Darcy just added the video and detailed instructions to the product page.

This is the first place I go when somebody ask a "technical" question such as dimensions, the way things works and so on.

I think this video is so new that it is not even on Maverick's video series, only on the product page.


I know the feeling about trying to find a piece of info that is somewhere in cyberspace and it would be really handy to have it now, but the maze of data gets in a way of getting it.

So frustrating.

PS: I always smile when I see your Plum list.

@backpack and others,

This really isn't a new maverick video, because I watched it when I was putting the cord pulls on my Tri-Star -- and that bag pre-dates the release of the Synapse. I just went to the YouTube app on my iPad and typed in "Tom Bihn cord pulls" to check the date of the video, which shows up as June 23, 2009. You can also go to the blog page and type in "cord pulls" in the search field, and you'll get the link to the August 7, 2009 blog post, Video: How to install cord pulls on your TOM BIHN bag.

I agree that having the video on the product page for cord pulls is a much easier way to find this information.

[Lani]

I've had one end of the cords pull out of the holder on the two most recent bags I purchased -- it looks like the melted ends of the cords aren't as sturdy as they used to be, they pull out when they're no longer sealed/finished. I use my Leatherman or another sharp knife to slip into the space between the two plastic parts and push them apart. It's hard to describe but it's worked for me.

You can either add a little melted bulb at the end of the paracord, or consider getting a thicker paracord altogether. Gasp. I know.

Maybe they've gone with a slightly thinner paracord, maybe? If it's thick enough it should stay put really well.

[blackfungi]

you just need something like a knife and try to put the blade into the tiny line you see where the two plastic parts meet. with some patience you can pry them apart and re-attach your chord. easy peasy.