Removing Chicago Screws

[TomG]

I have made a half dozen specialized leashes for a customer and they decided that they now want nickle hardware instead of brass.  Unfortunately, I used Red Loctite instead of blue because on a couple of previous orders, he had "claimed" that some of the screws came loose. I personally find this a but hard to believe because they all had the blue Loctite and were installed using a Weaver screw clamp and a power screwdriver.
So my question is how do I remove the brass screws? I've tried using a 3/8 drill in my drill press, but part way into the head, it spins. I tried a cutting chisel, but the leather layers(3) are so tight I can't get the chisel in and even if I did, the bottom edge of the leather would probably cushion it so much the chisel would not work.
My next attempt is using a dremel grinder, but that seems sort of doomed to fail, but what do I have to loose.
Oh, yeah... No, I can't just cut the ends off and redo it. The leash would be way too short.

 

 

[Tom]

You might apply a little heat with a soldering iron to the screws ?

[fredk]

I concur to use an electric soldering iron. If you have a lot to do, reshape the soldering iron tip into a flat screwdriver blade. That way it can be used to turn the screw as it heats it.

Or make a complete new set of leashes and sell on the ones with brass hardware

[KingsCountyLeather]

Wait... why would you change the hardware? He asked for it the way you did it? If he wants new hardware ask him to pay for new collars?

Sometimes you get no thanks for being nice. If you damage the collars while changing the hardware will he still pay you?

[fredk]

Excellent points

[TomG]

5 hours ago, fredk said:

I concur to use an electric soldering iron. If you have a lot to do, reshape the soldering iron tip into a flat screwdriver blade. That way it can be used to turn the screw as it heats it.

Or make a complete new set of leashes and sell on the ones with brass hardware

Tried that.  It gets so hot it starts to burn the leather.
But.. I think I found a solution, but haven't tried it in the shop yet.  I clamped the screw as tight as I could get it in the Weaver tool, held a heavy flat blade screwdriver between my legs and engaged the screw head.  Used a 5/16" drill bit in my small cordless and was able to drill through he smooth side and it popped off.

Now to rig a table vise to hold the bit, And use the drill press.  I don't like a spinning drill that close to the jewels or femoral artery....

 

5 hours ago, fredk said:

I concur to use an electric soldering iron. If you have a lot to do, reshape the soldering iron tip into a flat screwdriver blade. That way it can be used to turn the screw as it heats it.

Or make a complete new set of leashes and sell on the ones with brass hardware

Thought of that, but it's a proprietary design, complete with a gold logo, so I'd still have to unscrew one end at least to modify it away from his design.

[TomG]

2 hours ago, KingsCountyLeather said:

Wait... why would you change the hardware? He asked for it the way you did it? If he wants new hardware ask him to pay for new collars?

Sometimes you get no thanks for being nice. If you damage the collars while changing the hardware will he still pay you?

Oh yeah.. He's paying for the change.  Damn near as much as new leashes.  But, if I can remove the screws relatively quickly, it will be the easier method for me.

[RockyAussie]

9 hours ago, TomG said:

I have made a half dozen specialized leashes for a customer and they decided that they now want nickle hardware instead of brass.  Unfortunately, I used Red Loctite instead of blue because on a couple of previous orders, he had "claimed" that some of the screws came loose. I personally find this a but hard to believe because they all had the blue Loctite and were installed using a Weaver screw clamp and a power screwdriver.
So my question is how do I remove the brass screws? I've tried using a 3/8 drill in my drill press, but part way into the head, it spins. I tried a cutting chisel, but the leather layers(3) are so tight I can't get the chisel in and even if I did, the bottom edge of the leather would probably cushion it so much the chisel would not work.
My next attempt is using a dremel grinder, but that seems sort of doomed to fail, but what do I have to loose.
Oh, yeah... No, I can't just cut the ends off and redo it. The leash would be way too short.

 

 

HI Tom, probably no surprise but I often make up tools to suit a particular purpose. Here below are an example of some  of the cheap pliers I drill holes into and bend into weird shapes and so on. I looked up to try and find the weaver screw clamp you referred to and could not find it so in case it could help.....

The blue handle pliers work wonders when you need to grasp anthing of a round shape. As you see at the end I have shaped it to be able to push down over the head of a screw to hold but not damage the leather beside it.

 

From left great for holding any small tubular shapes but made to help make it easy to join the melt together belts for some machines. 2. Little tuck in at the tip helps to open up those small 5mm split rings. 3- plastic tube over to stop scratching. 4 Holds crocodile teeth when inserting into caps as well as to squeeze the cap tight.   5. rivet and screw removal and tube holder.

 

 

[KingsCountyLeather]

@RockyAussie Brilliant ideas! 

Im always damaging stuff while trying to fix it. Why not damage cheap tools to save the good stuff!

[RockyAussie]

On 11/05/2018 at 6:45 PM, KingsCountyLeather said:

@RockyAussie Brilliant ideas! 

Im always damaging stuff while trying to fix it. Why not damage cheap tools to save the good stuff!

Gee thanks, I am still curious to see what the Weaver screw clamp is/looks like. Could  anyone post a picture please?