:)Bonjour!! F/A checking in...
I'm looking for suggestions...:)
I bought a smallish daypack backpack by Dakine, "ISIS" model. I think it was originally meant for skateboarding, but I'm not sure...
Anyway, it does not have two zippers to lock together or any kind of locking mechanism. It just has one zipper track on each pocket, so there is nothing to secure it to.
How might I modify it so I can lock it somehow?
Any of us had this problem?
Thanks everyone for any and all suggestions:)
I would sow a small, heavy metal ring near the closed zipper. Use that to lock the zipper.
Thanks, Frank...Would something like a grommet hole work? Kind of like the holes they put as vents in the sides of shoes?
The only thing I've thought of is to close it with a safety pin to pierce the other side of the bag. That would be okay to keep wandering fingers out but doesn't lock.
It's really too bad the zippers are single head. Otherwise the backpack is not too bad, if it can be altered.
You might consider a D-ring. You could sew on a flat tab of material with the D-ring in a loop at the end. It would give you more room to line up the zipper and the ring.
Thanks, Skip =) What's a D-ring? Like the ones inside a binder only closed? Would that come from the sewing section or hardware? I think I get what you mean just not sure where I'd look for one. =(
you're welcome! =)
a D ring is a metal ring, but with one side flattened out. It looks like a letter "D". The RS bag has two for attaching the single shoulder strap. I have found them in hobby shops, sporting goods stores, and some sewing stores. I was thinking taking a strip of heavy material, say 1" wide and maybe 4 to 6 inches long. Pass the D-ring over one end and move it to the middle. Now double the strip back over so you have a short strip of material, double thick, with the D-ring trapped in the middle. Sew the double thick strip to your bag in a location where the zipper comes up against the D-ring, and pass a lock through both.
Take a look at the RS bag, in the travel store here on the site. Look at the shoulder strap attachment...that's a D-ring, and a very similar method of attaching it as I was attempting to describe.....
good look!
Flight Attendant,
As Skip mentioned, a "D" Ring is probably your best bet. Have a look at www.alibaba.com/showroom/D_Ring.html for a photo.
If you can find one in a local hobby shop or luggage store, a Shoemaker should be able to attach this for you (they have heavy duty sewing machines). Use a small strip of thick Cordura Nylon around the "flat" part of the Ring.
If you attach the Ring between the two Zippers, you should be able to use it to secure both Zippers, perhaps using one of the small Cable Locks shown in Rick's Travel Store (or something similar).
Hope this works for you! Cheers!
Flight Attendant,
I looked at an image of the pack I think you are talking about. (http://www.gearguys.com/210008.html) You could also try using a similar color of grosgrain ribbon to secure D rings to the binding along the edge of the pack. Both ribbon and D rings are available at fabric stores. Be sure to sear the cut edges of the ribbon with a match or candle flame to keep them from fraying. If you don't have access to a sewing machine, going to a shoe shop as Ken suggested is a great idea.
Along the lines of the grommet hole idea, you could make a small hole just inside the binding along edge of the bag and thread a metal key ring through it.
Some of the local hiking shops or mountain sporting good shops have those as well. You might even try a carabine clam (the cind climbers use to clip into. But my local shops has various extra parts like D-ring or snap-closures for packs that may be useful to you. Then as other said - take it to your shoe maker/repai for their heavy sewing .
This might not be as nice as the other ideas but if you're pressed for time use a big safety pin or diaper pin. Put it through the whole on the zipper pull and pin it to the bag. It's not secure, but requires extra effort to get into the bag. Since someone isn't likely to seal it up, you could also instantly recognize if someone had messed with your bag.
I bought a diaper bag to use for a camera bag and there was no way to secure the zipper. My husband ran ny-ties (they are available a radio shack type places, made for securing wires) through the place where the zipper pull attaches to the zipper, and then I use a caribiner to "secure" the zipper to the handle.
If you already have the equipment to do a gromet, then I say do that but if you have to buy something then any of the advice here would work. It gives you more options and you do buy the gromet equipment for just one bag.
I would not make a hole in such material. It will enlarge as you use it. Frank's advice is what I have in mind too.
You have to sew it with some very though thread, like the thick ones.
Thanks everyone for the ideas! I just knew we'd be able to find a solution together! We are such a great team here on Rick's board!
Yes, Nancy is right, that is the picture of the Backpack I have. Only the brand label is black as well and not red as in the picture.
It's not too bad, so far. It's a little on the smallish side but it fits nicely into my 17" Cabin Crew Carry-on.
Thanks everyone! I guess I'll be paying my Tailor a visit!
Happy Travels,
F/A
Okay another "easy" fix: Put a diaper pin through the inside of the bag so only a piece of the pin is outside. Use a plastic tie or small luggage lock to lock the zipper to it.
Brad, how creative! I never would have thought of that! Talk about thinking "outside of the box"!
