This is one of the most easy to understand instruction videos I have seen on RU-vid. I like how the video is mute, with just enough clear instruction at the beginning of each stage. Thank you
I was going to buy a new one as it has never crossed my mind to try to fix myself. I thought when the strings were gone, the blind needed to be thrown in the bin. However, someone told me that there are videos on RU-vid about it, so I found you and OMG, this was a game changer. I'm restringing all the blinds in my house and making them brand new. Thank you. the instructions are so clear and easy,
Very helpful and clear on instructions, It's easy to see that these folks are professionals, but they make things easy for the common person. Well done!
The pull strings were so frayed I had to use your method but in reverse - and it worked! Thank you for saving me tons of money to replace my wooden blinds.
By following the instructions on this video I was able to re-string my daughter's horizontal wood blinds myself! It took a little practice to secure the weld but otherwise it was easy to do! Thank you for making this video and keeping it up on RU-vid!
Brilliant! Many thanks. No irritating music, very clear steady instructions, great video; I've restrung blinds before and it took ages - this would have saved me lots of time and will on the next one. Only problem is who has a cigarette lighter these days? Guess I'll have to buy one or try matches but I think the steady flame is best.
Wow, thank you! The company that sold me my blinds told me it was a "very difficult job" and directed me to their sales page on their web site and suggested I buy a new blind instead!
Problem with you-tube videos is that they often make something that will be a pita for a first timer look easy. I don't know if I want to invest energy into this or just take it in for restringing.
Thank you so much for posting this. No one on our island will fix mine and the company won't let me send them away. Had to fix both in the end (non-standard cord width meant I had 1 thick and 1 thin). The manual threading takes a while, but when you still have the cord and can pull it through after using a lighter to fuse the new and old together, you feel like a god damn MAGICIAN.
I just finished re-stringing my first wooden blind. I used a long, very narrow piece of duct tape to attach the old cord to the new, and then pulled it through. That burning technique is a great idea, though. Maybe I'll try it next time.
The instructions were excellent and I was able to repair my blind and saved $60. My only comment is the audio is low when they tell you to move the string over every third lattice to keep the slats from sliding out. Looked at another set of blinds to see how it should go. Great help.
Hi Mike - Thanks for your comment! We sell the string on our website here: fixmyblinds.com/collections/wood-faux-venetian-blind-lift-cord-string. It's just called Lift Cord. Let me know if I can answer any additional questions for you.
This was great. My blinds are very, very old and the old cord was made of cotton, so attaching the old and the new (polyester) was a fail. I was able to get the new cord through most of the slats and had to hand feed the last few. I also figured out that the original cords were not fed properly through the rollers, hence the frayed cord. It was not simple, but it was doable. I do not like the new cord - feels flimsy in comparison, so am considering buying all new cables from you.
Thanks for such a great video, ..after being told my wood blind would be $480 to fix, I decided to try it myself.......Ta Da, I can put this repair on my resume....and the cost of the cord was around $9.
Thanks so much for this video!!! I thought I was going to have to get new blinds which were very costly since they were custom made. I will attempt to fix them myself with your video instruction. Thanks again!!!
Really good helpful video as I'm taking my wooden blind slates off to paint them from dark wood to white and was a little worried about putting them back together again properly. Thank you 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Hi, I just fitted two sets of blinds yesterday, I got a problem with the last one.When pulling both the the draw cords together the blinds do not go up level. The left side seems to be stiff. any advice please.
Thanks to this video I manged to restring my blind even though it was slightly different to the one in this clip. Saved me money. £5 for the cord and a bit of time.
it's only for threading the new string through the gizmos. once it's in, you toss the old string that is fused with the new. you'll see if you carefully watch the video....
Hey Ron, We sell the cord directly on our website at www.FixMyBlinds.com. We have directions about how to measure it on this webpage: www.fixmyblinds.com/part-categories/cord-string-and-loops/lift-cord-string.html. We sell a variety of thicknesses of cord so it's important to measure it to find what is closest to what is already in your blind.
I had a broken ladder string at the top. Whoever installed these blinds never trimmed the length. There was about 12" or more of blinds at the bottom, compressed dow (not in the way. Good thing for me, because with my broken top portion, I was able to move the entire ladder string upwards and make use of the extra length that was never trimmed. Have fun!
Great video, You're the only one to mention that you must alternate the thread every four ladders, I failed to do this originally & the threads shifted along the blind.
Great video! I have a question though. You mention at 2:40 that one should "alternate sides every three slats" when replacing a broken string. However, the video appears to show that the new string is simply being inserted in the center slot of each slat and is making a perfectly vertical run downwards through them all. It is therefore unclear to me what the narrator meant by "alternating sides every three slats." Would you please elaborate?
Each slat rests on ladder strings that support them. The supportive strings are what the lifting cords go back and forth around. So, for three slats, the supportive strings are on the left. Then, for three slats, the supportive strings are on the right. And you switch back and forth as you go up the blind. I hope that helps!
Useful video thank you. I need to know what size cord I needs to buy . I was looking at 1.8mm and 1.0mm. Can you direct me what one to buy for my wooden blinds like urs in this video? Thank you
Hi there! This guide will help you measure the string to get the size your blind uses: fixmyblinds.com/pages/how-to-measure-the-diameter-of-lift-cord-and-string. Then, you can purchase that size right on our website.
When i eventually got my blind out of box to put up the string had unthreaded and it was to late to go back so i am defiantly going to attempt the re threading of the string. Video seems very helpful thank you!
I have vintage 2" metal blinds on which the lift cord needs re-stringing. Thank you for this video on re-stringing. Do you suppose that restringing the lift cord on the old 50s vintage blinds will be done the same way? I haven't yet found a video on restringing my 50s type of blinds.
Just had the string rip in two pairs of blinds. They're nice blinds too....I just can't believe they would use this cheap junk string in them. It's as thin as dental floss and it's wrapped in cloth. I feel like this is such a big design flaw I should just be able to exchange the blinds through the company I got them from...Whatever. Just unbelievably frustrated at this moment, and I really can't believe they wouldn't use a solid piece of string for something they know is gonna have constant friction and wear on it.
5:40 The video shows a single cord coming down through the rail. The second shot shows a second cord going through the rail. What and where did the second cord come from and where does it go? Thanks
Hi there; that other string is from the other side of the blind and is also a lifting string. All of the lifting strings go out of the cord lock mechanism. If you have any additional questions, please let us know! You can also email us at service@fixmyblinds.com.
Yes, we sell those on our website. They are called drums. Here's a link: www.fixmyblinds.com/part-categories/drums-cradles/wood-faux-wood-venetian-blind-drums.html
This is great, but my blinds are a little different from these. Mine have four tassels, with pull cords that run along the edges of the slats instead of through the middle. As such, the slats have no holes. Does anyone know what this type of blind is called so I can find the right tutorial?
Hi there, that type of blind is called a privacy blind or privacy slats. I don't know of a video that covers how to replace the string in that style of horizontal blind. If you run into any specific questions, please reach out to us at service@fixmyblinds.com.
How do you connect these kinds of strings so they are only 2 strings but it rotates in a circle. For example clockwise lifts the blinds on one string and counter clockwise lowers them. But the string itself doesn't change lengths. I want to add a home automation device that can control my blinds
Do you mean the string that supports each slat? Or, do you have strings that lift the blinds going up the front and back of the slat? Please email us some pictures of your blinds and we can let you know if we have instructions to repair it. Our email is service@fixmyblinds.com.
Thurston, Those washers tie to the lift cords, preventing the lift cords from being pulled through the slats on the blind. This helps to prevent a potential strangulation hazard. These items are also called Inner Cord Stop Devices. You can purchase them here: www.fixmyblinds.com/large-plastic-washer-safety-cord-stops-4-pack.html.
This worked great! I was able to repair our wood blinds for only a few dollars. My only suggestion is that when you melt the 2 strings together, that spot may be too thick to go through the holes. I used a little sand paper to file the melted spot down and it pulled through without a problem.
Marti - Thank you for that great tip! Sometimes the joint where the strings are melted together can get too thick and get hung up when pulling it through. Filing it down is a great solution.
Hi there! The string in this blind is 1.4mm. You can see that size on our website at the link below: fixmyblinds.com/collections/1-4mm-lift-cord-string
Hi Terri, It's fairly easy. Once you do one string or one blind, you'll see how it all works together. This video is great at explaining how wood blinds work; you may be interested: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ec3kY4VDSCE.html. And, if you run into any problems or questions, we are here to help!
The three 6 foot wood blinds I bought from Sears many years ago need new string(s). Out of curiosity I just checked the Sears site to see what they cost now--around $700. + tax--YIKES!! Guess I will be trying to do this soon.
Can anyone explain why when I pull the string that raises the blind all the way up, (as when you want to clean the window), the bottom horizontal rail is pulled from the front edge only causing the blind to curl up rather than being lifted evenly by the rail? None of the strings are broken or seem to be tangled. Something snagging at the top maybe? I'm stumped 🤔
Hi there, thanks for your question! I've seen the situation you're describing on mini blinds that have the holes for the lifting string punched toward the back of the slat (rather than in the middle). Are the holes punched in your slats toward the back of the slat? If so, the bottom rail will always curl back when the blinds are raised; it's just how they are made. If your blinds don't have the holes punched toward the back, please email me some pictures of your blind and the curled bottom rail. I can let you know what's going on. Our email is service@fixmyblinds.com.
Hi! Thank you for a great video! Our blinds have sticks we turn to open and close them; otherwise they are the same. Any advice on how to restring them? Thank you!
While I am restringing, can I add a decorative cloth tape to the blind if it didn’t come with one? Would I follow the instructions in the Replacing Cloth Tape video?
If a blind doesn't have cloth tape on it, you aren't able to add it due to the punches in the bottom of the headrail. For blinds with cloth tape, the punches are large; for blinds with string ladder like yours, the punches are smaller and cloth tape won't fit through.
Shelby, The weld between the frayed string and the replacement string is not meant to hold long term. It's just a tool to make it easier to replace the frayed string with new string.
Hi I don't need to re string my wooden blind. ...I need to just reconnect one of the strings at the top it looks like its come undone however i'm not sure how to do it..i tried to copy the other strings but it keeps coming undone....it has two silver coloured metal bits a bit like little lead pellets attached to the string and I'm sure it's quite easy but I cannot work it out...Has anyone got any ideas...Thanking you in advance regards Lucy
Hi Lucy, It sounds like the ladder string has become detached from the drum on your blind. This video will be more helpful to you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Fx7qVu7Z4ss.html. If you have any questions, please let me know here or email us at service@fixmyblinds.com.
I would like to clean my blinds in this process. I’m doing a full remodel and would like to throughly clean the blinds before restringing them. Also, any advice on where to buy the buttons that go in the bottom railing and the string?
Hi Aimee, You can find those buttons on our website here: www.fixmyblinds.com/blind-categories/wood-faux-wood-blind/bottom-rail-buttons.html. You can certainly clean your blinds when you restring them. I'd wipe each slat off with a damp rag. Do not immerse the slats if they are real wood; it will damage them.
I have this exact color(light brown) true wood blinds with longer slats from a different manufacturer (Graber). what is the Technical name for this color please???? as corner of one of the slats broke while I was dusting, holding it too tight? Thanks
+Cam Hey I think that color would be called new oak, or golden oak. The sticker we have on that blind is worn and the color name/number is not visible, so there's no way to be sure.
+fixmyblinds, Thanks for your response. I called Graber, name of the color is "Knotty Pine", it maybe called something else from a different manufacturer.
You can order the cord here: www.fixmyblinds.com/Wood-Faux-Wood-Blinds-String-s/413.htm And the string size can be determined by watching this video: www.fixmyblinds.com/v/vspfiles/video-measure-string-diameter.html
Hi, I have two blinds that I want to match. One has tape, the other has string (they are otherwise identical). My preference is have both with string, but I am happy to change either. How would I go from tape to string?
Yes, you can switch from the tape to the string ladder. All you need is the string ladder material itself. You can use the rest of the parts as is. Are the slats on your blind 2"? If so, we have ladder that will work for your blind here: www.fixmyblinds.com/2-blinds-string-ladder.html
