Chicago Screws

[equinetacktool]

I have designed a new tool for holding chicago screws. My website is jpequinetacktool.vpweb.com

JP'S Equine Tack Tool

[pete]

Nice tool but I'm not sure that I get it. What's the matter with a screwdriver in one hand and a piece of rubber innertube in the other( and maybe some lock-tite for the threads if I get paranoid)?

[esantoro]

Nice tool but I'm not sure that I get it. What's the matter with a screwdriver in one hand and a piece of rubber innertube in the other( and maybe some lock-tite for the threads if I get paranoid)?

It's interesting how certain questions/posts yield particular answers that lead to other ideas that may have taken longer to come out.

The whole idea of using a rubber inner tube to aid in tightening screws is brilliant. Now the next time I pass a bike shop, I'll dip in to see if they have any in the trash.

ed

[GMorris]

These are a great little tool, I have sold several on ebay. check with B.Johnson on this sight, I think he will give some feedback. Nothing is wrong with the old way of removing/ replacing chicago screws or conchas, but nothing was wrong with farming with mules and oxen before the tractor came along either.

[bruce johnson]

Pete,

About the piece of inner tube in one hand and the screwdriver in the other. Issue I had was once the force was applied to the screwdriver, and it happened to slip off those shallow worn screw slots, the blade will penetrate some distance into that hand holding the piece of inner tube. I am a slower learner, and have done this a few times. I have had some luck with a piece of inner tube on top of the bench and using that as a backing. It works a little better. If I don't care much about the concho, a vicegrip on the head and a little heat from a soldering iron on the screw can loosen them too. This little tool has a rubber head on one side, and a "forked" jaw on the other to surround the screw head. When you grip it, the rubber hold the post or concho, and the forked part relieves some of the bind on the screw head.

When I first saw this thing adverised in ShopTalk or wherever it was, I told my wife I ought to get one. Ended up and put it off, finally saw the ebay listing and bought two, one for me and one for a gift. I have one of my first headstalls, and my late first wife used one of our old Garcia bits on it, and put some old Visalia conchos on it. Her family was one of those nail polish or iodine (corrosive) on the screw threads to secure them bunch. For a few years, I have kind of been wanting to retire this headgear, but wanted the bit on another headstall. The bit end conchos won't budge with anything I tried without risk. I got this tool, got a grip and gave a twist. First one backed right out. Other side was a bit harder, and I slipped. Since my left hand was gripping the pliers, no bleeding. Second twist got it. Yeah, this tool works. With the value of the conchos and bloodshed it saved, I am money ahead. Bottom line though, I couldn't bring myself to change it out and put the bit back on with those conchos.

My first concern when I got it was that it was made from some space age plastic, not metal. After using, it should be. There is just enough flex, you won't scissor action your way through most leather as you grip harder. I don't use it on every concho or Chicago screw, but it fit the bill when I needed it so far. I have used it more than I expected.

[Andy]

Pete,

I keep an old mousepad upside down on the bench, the neoprene offers enough friction for a super tight screw set.

Andy

Nice tool but I'm not sure that I get it. What's the matter with a screwdriver in one hand and a piece of rubber innertube in the other( and maybe some lock-tite for the threads if I get paranoid)?

[Art]

I have one of these puppies. It is a good tool more for taking the screws out than putting them in although it works good for that also. Especially if someone put Loctite in one.

Now, I use it on belts primarily. Whoever developed this must be a horseman as they only made the jaws one inch deep. No way to use this to get to the center of a 2.5 to 3" cartridge belt. If there was a version with 2 inch jaws I would buy that also. It also works great for installing and removing conchos with Chicago screw attachments, especially the small ones you can't seem to get tight enough not to spin.

Art

[equinetacktool]

I have one of these puppies. It is a good tool more for taking the screws out than putting them in although it works good for that also. Especially if someone put Loctite in one.Now, I use it on belts primarily. Whoever developed this must be a horseman as they only made the jaws one inch deep. No way to use this to get to the center of a 2.5 to 3" cartridge belt. If there was a version with 2 inch jaws I would buy that also. It also works great for installing and removing conchos with Chicago screw attachments, especially the small ones you can't seem to get tight enough not to spin.Art

You are not the first person to say that. It may be in future plans. I am busy enough with this one at the moment. Thanks for the suggestion.JP

Pete, About the piece of inner tube in one hand and the screwdriver in the other. Issue I had was once the force was applied to the screwdriver, and it happened to slip off those shallow worn screw slots, the blade will penetrate some distance into that hand holding the piece of inner tube. I am a slower learner, and have done this a few times. I have had some luck with a piece of inner tube on top of the bench and using that as a backing. It works a little better. If I don't care much about the concho, a vicegrip on the head and a little heat from a soldering iron on the screw can loosen them too. This little tool has a rubber head on one side, and a "forked" jaw on the other to surround the screw head. When you grip it, the rubber hold the post or concho, and the forked part relieves some of the bind on the screw head. When I first saw this thing adverised in ShopTalk or wherever it was, I told my wife I ought to get one. Ended up and put it off, finally saw the ebay listing and bought two, one for me and one for a gift. I have one of my first headstalls, and my late first wife used one of our old Garcia bits on it, and put some old Visalia conchos on it. Her family was one of those nail polish or iodine (corrosive) on the screw threads to secure them bunch. For a few years, I have kind of been wanting to retire this headgear, but wanted the bit on another headstall. The bit end conchos won't budge with anything I tried without risk. I got this tool, got a grip and gave a twist. First one backed right out. Other side was a bit harder, and I slipped. Since my left hand was gripping the pliers, no bleeding. Second twist got it. Yeah, this tool works. With the value of the conchos and bloodshed it saved, I am money ahead. Bottom line though, I couldn't bring myself to change it out and put the bit back on with those conchos. My first concern when I got it was that it was made from some space age plastic, not metal. After using, it should be. There is just enough flex, you won't scissor action your way through most leather as you grip harder. I don't use it on every concho or Chicago screw, but it fit the bill when I needed it so far. I have used it more than I expected.

Thanks for the great input. Appreciate it.JP

Nice tool but I'm not sure that I get it. What's the matter with a screwdriver in one hand and a piece of rubber innertube in the other( and maybe some lock-tite for the threads if I get paranoid)?

Not a thing is wrong with it, but you will find that the tool gives you much more flexibility and less chance of an accident. The tool is guaranteed for 90 days, no questions asked.JP

[Gremlin]

Having a bit of arthritis in my hands and using a lot of chicago screws, I thought this might be a very helpful tool so I ordered one from the website a couple weeks ago. It has not arrived yet so I can't give my opinion but will as soon as it arrives and I get to use it for awhile.

Edited March 6, 2008 by Gremlin

[Studio-N]

I have to agree with Gremlin, these really help holding things when the arthritis was bothering me. I've only had mine a week

and I used it in the store to help a customer change out the concho in his cell phone case. The plier helped to push the

concho post through the double layer of the flap and held it in place nicely while I tightend the screw. Quick and comfortable.

peace. There is a nice rubber tip on the concho face side, so it doesn't mar the surface. peace.

[Gremlin]

Mine arrived and I've had the chance to use it. I like it. Makes quick and easy work of stubborn screws. I can highly recommend it for any bench.

I have to go along with the previous suggestions tho. I would like to see a metal one as well as a model with a deeper throat so the user could reach further with it. Equinetacktool, if you are planning to do a metal one and one with a deeper throat, put me on the list of those that would buy them.

[esantoro]

I haven't used this tool, but I can appreciate Art's comments about not being able to to screws that are 2" or more away from the leather edge. What about a two part tool that would allow for positioning anywhere. One might even be able to have some rubber substance underneath the post head for gripping and then use a wrench opening on the screw side to apply pressure.

I will be trying this out in the coming weeks and will report back. If successful, pictures will follow.

Ed

[esantoro]

came across this tool this morning:

http://www.proleptic.net/products/index/12

[bruce johnson]

Ed, that concho turner is a decent enough tool. It is not for Chicago screws in any great fashion. It is alright to do what it is designed for. It will loosen or tighten screw back conchos on saddles. I can't get it to really get a concho as tight as I like or to budge one that is set. Once you get one loose or are starting one in, it saves a lot of finger twisting. I still have to finish up or start one back out with a padded set of channel lock pliers. I wouldn't jump on it a must-have tool, but it is sort of handy at times.

[esantoro]

Ed, that concho turner is a decent enough tool. It is not for Chicago screws in any great fashion. It is alright to do what it is designed for. It will loosen or tighten screw back conchos on saddles. I can't get it to really get a concho as tight as I like or to budge one that is set. Once you get one loose or are starting one in, it saves a lot of finger twisting. I still have to finish up or start one back out with a padded set of channel lock pliers. I wouldn't jump on it a must-have tool, but it is sort of handy at times.

Thanks, Bruce. From my brief experimentation with handle assembly on a briefcase, i may not even need a special tool, as the layers of metal and leather seem to work as an automatic tensioner, but I can see myself using the Chicago Screws on belts, for which the pliers tool that started this thread would be a good choice.

By the way, do you ever come across the need to use the 5/32" screw backs in place of the standard 1/4" that all CS seem to come with? I'm putting in an order first of the year with Weaver.

Ed