Best way to tighten Chicago Screws?

[DeWayne Hayes]

Folks, I have made a holster that has some Chicago Screws, and I can't figure a good way to tighten them when one side is domed/slotless. Finger pressure goes so far, but then the domed side just turns.  Does anyone have a trick?  Rubber washer, maybe?  Contact cement in place of a washer on the domed side?  Anything else? 

Thanks,

DeWayne

 

 

Edited May 8 by DeWayne Hayes

[JREESER1]

I always add a small drop of blue Locktite into the inside (female) threads. Then, put just enough pressure with very light touch of loose adjusted small vise grips to the edge of female side of the screw, so you will not mar the screw and lightly tighten. Never had any problems.

[AlZilla]

I think some of the problem is when the material thickness is such that the screw bottoms out before the material compresses significantly. A rubber washer between the flap and the holster may help in your case. Or the locktite, which I've never tried. 

In my case, I stopped using domed Chicago screws. I now use ones that have a slot on one side and an Allen socket on the other.

[DeWayne Hayes]

Thanks, folks.  My leather is thick enough that the screw isn't bottoming out, it just can't grab firmly enough on the leather to really dig in and stop spinning. It tightens ok, just not as tight as I'd like. This is only exacerbated by the fact that when I attach the second one, I can no longer get my finger in there to hold it as there's no room. I think I may try a drop of contact cement on the lip of that female domed head. I suspect that's going to stop the spinning. Worst case scenario, the leather loop it's attaching to can be replaced easily enough if I ever have to. 

This was the first western style revolver holster I've made - all my holster making to this point has been thumb-break style for automatics. Being able to connect a loop in the back with Chicago Screws is such a pleasure - saves a ton of stitching for the belt loop. 

 

 

[PastorBob]

17 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

I think some of the problem is when the material thickness is such that the screw bottoms out before the material compresses significantly. A rubber washer between the flap and the holster may help in your case. Or the locktite, which I've never tried. 

In my case, I stopped using domed Chicago screws. I now use ones that have a slot on one side and an Allen socket on the other.

@AlZilla

I have never seen that style.  Where are you sourcing them.

 

6 minutes ago, DeWayne Hayes said:

Thanks, folks.  My leather is thick enough that the screw isn't bottoming out, it just can't grab firmly enough on the leather to really dig in and stop spinning. It tightens ok, just not as tight as I'd like. This is only exacerbated by the fact that when I attach the second one, I can no longer get my finger in there to hold it as there's no room. I think I may try a drop of contact cement on the lip of that female domed head. I suspect that's going to stop the spinning. Worst case scenario, the leather loop it's attaching to can be replaced easily enough if I ever have to. 

This was the first western style revolver holster I've made - all my holster making to this point has been thumb-break style for automatics. Being able to connect a loop in the back with Chicago Screws is such a pleasure - saves a ton of stitching for the belt loop. 

 

 

Beautiful holster too!!!

[BlackDragon]

First of all, that's a beautiful holster!!

I recently started buying holster hardware from this company. The screws have a rubber washer on them and it helps a lot with tightening.

https://www.holstersmith.com/vcom/hardware-mounting-assemblies-c-553_560.html

[Northmount]

7 hours ago, DeWayne Hayes said:

Folks, I have made a holster that has some Chicago Screws, and I can't figure a good way to tighten them when one side is domed/slotless.

I use a JP Tack Tool like this.  Or like this one. 

[AlZilla]

@PastorBob

These are a slot and a Philips. Somewhere I have slot/Allen, too. When I get to a big computer I'll find the Amazon link, because that's where I actually ordered from.

[AlZilla]

43 minutes ago, Northmount said:

I use a JP Tack Tool like this.  Or like this one. 

Well, that is cool. The first one won't load for me but the second one does. In the OPs case, that one won't get deep enough to help him, but still very cool.

[Northmount]

19 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

Well, that is cool. The first one won't load for me but the second one does. In the OPs case, that one won't get deep enough to help him, but still very cool.

Loads for me.  It has even less reach.  It would be relatively easy to modify the reach, or build one with longer reach.  Just need to see the idea to make one.