How to shorten most of zippers(50s-80s) but Crown.
Although, we don't think you have a large problem to take off the teeth of your zippers but Crown when you need to shorten them. We instruct here how to take off the teeth and put the top stops on your zippers.
[ How to take off the teeth. ]
Before you start to shorten your zippers, practice some times using extra part of your zippers.
1) First, cut the point of (A) by a nipper or any tool without damaging zip tape. (Refer to the left illustration.) It usually needs to take off teeth 1" long.
2) If the cutting the teeth is done properly, the teeth will come off naturally from the zip tapes. But if the cutting the tooth is not good enough, cut it again or turn off the tooth gently from the tape by a needle nose pliers or any tool without damaging the zip tape.
[ Which side should be lower. ]
If you like to complete the zip top as original, check the bottom of your zipper. The lower side at the bottom tooth should be lower at the top tooth as well. Which means, zippers are basically made with the same number of zip teeth at both side. It depends on the type (design) of bottom end (retainer) which side is lower. Refer to the left two types of Conmar zippers. On the 50s Conmar of the left image, you can see the left side tooth is lower at the bottom and top. And on the 60s Conmar of the right image, you can see the right side tooth is lower at the bottom and top.
[ How to put the top stops(50s-80s) on the zipper. ]
Put the top stops in the zip tape just along the top teeth and press them properly by a needle nose pliers or any tool without damaging zip tape. (Refer to the above images.)