Items and materials for repairs
The zip on my cheap-piece-of-crap wetsuit top broke yesterday. Decided to replace with velcro and a couple of those plastic clip-in buckles.
Couldn't buy them anywhere, so this morning I did a round of the Op Shops ( I believe you folk call them charity/goodwill shops) and checked out the bag, backpack, baby car seat sections.
For $4.00 I found more than all the parts I need along with the webbing to hold in place. Currently my 1952 Helvetia sewing machine is recovering from a literal seizure! I think compressed air and a little lock lubricant might fix it. I'll know tomorrow.
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Glad you got it fixed up!
I hope your sewing machine is ok!
You mentioned the 1952 Helvetia. 
I've had it since the 80s and it was already old, by geez does it sew a straight line well. No fancy shit like zig zag. Straight forwards and backwards. Weights as much as a small truck.
Sews thru neoprene well but problems with heavy duty velcro plus neoprene. I've stripped it down, cleaned and oiled the teeth etc. Will try again tomorrow. Otherwise, it's down to buy a thimble and think nylon thread.
Zig zag is over-rated! it's the back & forth straight lines that hold stuff together.
Maybe a shoe repair shop could stitch whatever you need. 
Which is below and a pic of the beast. I think it needs a name. Any ideas?
Yeah, yeah, it may be over-rated but jeez it's handy.
Back to the drawing board, but in a good way.
Sorted the old sewing machine and now it's sewing neoprene well. I believe the original (front) zip on the wetsuit was badly designed - 10-15cm too short, because you need to wriggle out of it by pulling it backwards.
So the current plan is a new, heavy duty longer zip, sewn in with the 1952 Helvetia! (On edit: Helvetica is a font!)
Isn't it a beauty?
You sound like you are extremely proficient at fixing whatever you put your mind to.
Happy swimming in the refurbished wetsuit. 🌊. 🌊. 🌊.
