Rifle Sling: Chicago Screws-2 or 1 per end?

[Doc Reaper]

18 hours ago, Northmount said:

 

 Northmount I really gotta say thanks a bunch! That’s a really handy knot to know, I’m sure there are others but this is very useful!!!!!

[SpruceMoose]

Thanks again for the info everyone, went with 2 quality brass screws per end. Would love to do a nice knot, but like i said, i need the customer to be able to take apart and put it back.

[fredk]

Those slings are real nice so they are

Just a thought, and you may do this already,  Advise the customer to use thread lock on the screws after re-assembly having put on the hardware fittings

as an aside, when I want a purdy Chicago screw head I use these;

Edited July 23, 2023 by fredk

[SpruceMoose]

28 minutes ago, fredk said:

Those slings are real nice so they are

Just a thought, and you may do this already,  Advise the customer to use thread lock on the screws after re-assembly having put on the hardware fittings

as an aside, when I want a purdy Chicago screw head I use these;

Thanks FredK, those are nice looking chicago screws, i'll have to keep an eye out, since i'm doubling up on each sling i'll be needing another order soon!

[bruce johnson]

I agree with using two if you use Chicago screws. My personal preference is to use the Chicago screws with the hole through the head. You can use a longer screw and have more threads to hold. Being around horses for 50 plus years, I've seen several tricks for securing them - drop of iodine to corrode the threads together, clear nail polish, acrylic paint, Loctite, Elmers glue, and more if I thought harder. If you choose Loctite go with the one that will release at low heat. Nothing worse than trying to get a screw loose without damaging the leather or concho head if it is a screw back concho. The low heat loctite will soften and loosen with a soldering iron held on the screw to heat it. Your customers are going to want to change these out to another rifle at some point or some other reason so make it somewhat easy. If you want semi-permanent to permanent then use rivets. I did some of those too. 

A tool that I personal REALLY like is the JP Tack Tool for Chicago screws. Tighten or loosen, they all get the JP tool used on them I got one of the early ones and still use it and have bought quite a few for gifts for gifts. This version is made from a polymer and has some flex. Some makers copied it with a visegrip or metal frame and that works. I havent seen those available recently but they can get enough force to punch the Chicago screw through the leather, the polymer frame ones won't. Here is a link to the JP  -  https://www.jptacktool.com/product-page/chicago-screw-tack-tool

[Red Bear Haraldsson]

On 7/18/2023 at 10:27 AM, Northmount said:

 

Much appreciated! I can see this knot going on all kinds of places...

[Northmount]

On 7/23/2023 at 12:54 PM, bruce johnson said:

If you choose Loctite go with the one that will release at low heat. Nothing worse than trying to get a screw loose without damaging the leather or concho head if it is a screw back concho. The low heat loctite will soften and loosen with a soldering iron held on the screw to heat it.

Loctite bearing retainer allows disassembly for inspection and repairs.  I couldn't get Loctite for threads many years ago and used this instead.  Doesn't come apart due to vibration.  Seals in air-tight spaces.  Fills gaps, resistant to oils and grease as well.

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

No such thing as over-engineering!

Also, if you think it would be an issue, use some threadlock. 

[TonyV]

I guess 2 screws are technically better than 1, but my favorite hunting rifle has worn the same sling with only 1 screw at each end for nearly 30 years of spot and stalk hunting in rough mountain conditions and they haven't come loose yet.  The leather is wearing out at those points and I will soon need to make a repair (or build a new sling), but the chicago screws are still holding tight.  A small dab of blue loc-tite is good insurance.