Tightening And Loosing Chicago Screws

[bushpilotmexico]

Just looking for some hints with Chicago screws. I know if I made them I would put a couple of little sharp dogs underneath the cap on the female side so you could get a little bite into the leather.

The cap on the female part is so smooth that when you try and tighten from the male slotted side it just spins and if you do succeed in getting it reasonably tight you can't loosen it because it spins again.

Any hints or suggestions?

Thx

[electrathon]

Use a piece of rubber behind it to get some grip as you tighten it. There is also a pair of pliers available to grip them as you tighten, do not remember who sell it. Also, use loc-tite to keep them from un-threading.

[chrstn53]

Weaver makes a tool called the malan chicago screw tool which is a modified vice grip that does wonders. http://www.weaverleathersupply.com/Catalog/ItemContent.aspx?ItemNumber=27271

There is another similar tool out there called the JP equine tack tool. I actually purchased this tool first, but was not impressed at all. Its made of some type of plastic and feels like its going to break in you hands and bends quite a bit. I was never able to get the screws as tight as I wanted so I purchased the Weaver one and it was exactly what I needed.

I'm sure there are others out there, but I only have experience with the two I mentioned

[Itch]

Weaver makes a tool called the malan chicago screw tool which is a modified vice grip that does wonders. http://www.weaverleathersupply.com/Catalog/ItemContent.aspx?ItemNumber=27271

There is another similar tool out there called the JP equine tack tool. I actually purchased this tool first, but was not impressed at all. Its made of some type of plastic and feels like its going to break in you hands and bends quite a bit. I was never able to get the screws as tight as I wanted so I purchased the Weaver one and it was exactly what I needed.

I'm sure there are others out there, but I only have experience with the two I mentioned

We have both tools in our shop.. The one from Weaver wins hands down,we make a lot of belt,s and this tool is a life saver..

[bushpilotmexico]

Thanks guys that Weaver tool looks like it should work, in fact I may be able to modify a set of vice grips myself.

[Dwight]

OK, . . . I cheat, . . . I'm guilty, . . . I put my Chicago screws in by laying the female onto one of those red rubber erasers kids used to have when they did homework.

I push down hard as I am turning the screw, . . . like Electrathon said, . . . it'll hold em. Actually, I sometimes have a bear of a time getting them off when I've put them on this way, . . . but at least they don't fall off.

Tandy also sells a different version of this screw, . . . with an open back, . . . and teeth on the inside, . . . they can be pulled down really tight.

May God bless,

Dwight

[cgleathercraft]

A little blue loctite will keep them held. I've also used superglue in a pinch. As for getting them tight. anything that's a little tacky and lots of pressure like Dwight.

[TinkerTailor]

I've hot glued them to the bench and then peeled it off after..

[Itch]

Nail polish will work like loctite in a pinch..

[JerseyFirefighter]

A little blue loctite will keep them held. I've also used superglue in a pinch. As for getting them tight. anything that's a little tacky and lots of pressure like Dwight.

I JUST bought some blue thread locker today for this specific purpose. sandwiching 2 pieces of 8/9oz just misses the depth my chicago screws need. a little loctite could go a long way.