Zipper Bolo Tie

Looking for something unique, yet familiar, to accessorize your wardrobe? Make a statement that no one quite knows what it is.

This necklace is a hack on my print-in-place zipper. It prints in several pre-assembled sections that then get connected with pins.

Printing
Print with exactly 0.2mm layers and use a 0.4mm or smaller nozzle. For the length shown I printed 1 of the Right section and 5 of the Left sections. You'll also need 8 of the pins. Print one each of the SliderBody, SliderLoop, SliderTab, Connector and Center pieces. 

I highly recommend first printing one of the Left sections to get your printer settings adjusted so that the links pivot smoothly relative to one another. They should be fairly easy to break free from one another. If they are tight, try reducing the XY compensation or maybe reducing your flow rate. You want the chain to be a little floppy so that it lays nicely.

Assembly
With all the links from each section loosened up, assemble the Right side section to the Center piece using one of the pins. The pins have one end that is slightly fat that should press in with a friction fit. Add a Left section to the other side of the Center piece. Now add an equal number of Left sections to the free ends of the right and left sides. Starting at the center connector, work the two sides of the zipper together manually all the way up to the end.

Insert the Slider Tab piece into the Slider Loop and press the slider loop into the slots in the Slider Body. It should be a fairly snug press fit. If it is too loose, use a little superglue to hold it in place.

Separate the ends of your zipper a little and start sliding the Slider body over then ends. Push the slider all the way down until the zipper is fully open. Now you can connect the two free ends of the zipper together using the last Connector piece and the last two pins.