Longer Screws For Tandy Diablo Oval Conchos

[llucas]

Blasted auto-correct changed the heading on the first post to "ponchos". Grrrrrrrr.

A client wishes to have Tandy Diablo oval conchos on his gun belt. Problem: the screw that comes with the Tandy concho is made for a single layer of leather and a gun belt is a double layer -- about 1/4". Tandy does not have longer screws. The screw that comes with the concho is too short. A 1/4" Chicago screw will work, but it is domed whereas the concho screw is much flatter and the Chicago screw might abrade clothing. Anyone have a source for concho screws with a flatter head that will work for 1/4" leather? Probably 7mm to 8mm.

[Josh Ashman]

Check the local hardware stores machine screw selection. I would think that either a pan head or flat head screw would be fine. The "dome" on a chicago screw will probably be the same as a pan head screw but I really don't see that being an issue. When you tighten them down the screw head will suck into the leather and countersink to some degree. If you would rather have a flat head then do that, they have a taper on the underside but it will just suck into the leather and shouldn't be any problem at all.

Have fun with your project!

Josh

[Dorado]

Take the concho and screw to your local hardware store. You can find something that'll work there. I've done that needing screws with broader heads.

[llucas]

Thanks, guys. I checked the hardware store. Everything with the right thread would have pulled through the hole for the concho or stood proud of the leather much like the chicago screw. I did jury-rig a fix, however. I discovered Tandy carries 3/8" concho screws. Too long for my purposes, but I went back to the hardware store and bought some hex nuts that fit the longer concho screw. I put two of them on the screw with just under 1/8" of the screw exposed and locked the nuts together with wrenches. I then ground off the amount I needed to eliminate. When I broke the bond on the two hex nuts and threaded them off, the hex nuts by default cleaned up the threads as they were coming off the screw. A little blue locktite and everything snugged together like a charm with a nice low profile on the back side -- nothing to rub on clothing. Thanks again for the suggestions. Very helpful.

[llucas]

Here is a photo of the project. Shortening the screws as described above worked like a charm.