Ughh! Broken luggage connector??

[Sweety_tweety]

OK--I did not know where to post this, but I am hoping someone might be able to help.

On my last trip the luggage connector (not sure if this is the right word) broke. It is the piece that allows you to connect your checked bag to your carry-on. Overall the luggage is in good shape--I really don't want to spend money on new luggage right now.

The luggage is Oleg Cassini, but they don't even list luggage on their website. I thought somebody might know where I could buy something that could connect two suitcases.

 

[JoliBug]

I have one but I don't remember where I got it. It might have been at Target in thier luggage section. You might also try a luggage store like samsonite if you have one near by.

 

[dougsmom98]

Here is something that may work for you.
http://www.brookstone.com/add-a-bag...is=2~46337~2~root_category@kwd~luaggage+strap

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Here is something that may work for you.
http://www.brookstone.com/add-a-bag...is=2~46337~2~root_category@kwd~luaggage+strap

We use something called a Lug Buddy to attach a smaller bag to a wheeled bag. Because it uses an elastic cord, it works much better than any strap provided with any luggage I have ever purchased. -- Suzanne

 

[NotUrsula]

Why not just have the piggyback strap repaired? Many, if not most, shoe repair shops have the capacity to repair luggage as well.

If you don't have a regular shoe guy that you go to, just get out your phone book and call around to see who will do it for you.

 

[truck1]

What exactly broke? The strap itself or the palstic buckles?

 

[Sweety_tweety]

Thanks for the tips!

One of the prongs from the buckle broke off.

 

[truck1]

I want to say that some of the big box stores, has the clips and that you can have them replaced when you want.Some of the sporting goods places or even a scuba shop may have them.

 

[WillCAD]

Thanks for the tips!

One of the prongs from the buckle broke off.

That should be easy to repair, if you know how to use a needle and thread.

First thing you should do is find a replacement buckle of the same size. If you can't find a replacement buckle that fits into the unbroken side of the old one, then you might have to replace both sides of the buckle with a new one.

Once you find a replacement buckle, look for the place where the strap is sewn onto the old buckle. Take a digital snap so that when you insert the strap into the new buckle it will match the way it's inserted in the old buckle.

Next, you need to remove the stitching that's holding the old buckle in place. There is a specialty tool for this available at fabric stores, but you don't really need it; I simply use an Xacto knife. Carefully slide the Xacto blade between the two pieces of strap that are sewn together, and slice the stitches without slicing the strap itself. It's kinda like slipping a butter knife between two pieces of bread. Go slowly and slice the threads one at a time.

After all the threads are cut and the old buckle comes off, remove all of the cut pieces of thread to make the strap neat.

Now it's just a matter of adding the new buckle in, and sewing the strap back together as it was before. To hold the strap together until you get some stitches in, you can use one or two staples.

To keep the strap from pulling apart after it's re-sewn, don't start and stop your stitching at exactly the same point; once you sew around to your starting point, keep going and overlap the stitches. In fact, it's a good idea to double or triple stitch, if the strap is going to hold any weight, which luggage straps usually do. It's also better to start from the middle instead of a corner, or the corner may pull the ends of the threads loose during normal use.

The whole repair should only take 10 or 15 minutes.