Chicago screws (book screws), brass-plated, 5 x 10 mm

Brass-plated Chicago screws – a removable screw fastening for leather, books and booklets

Chicago screws, also known as book screws, join leather, paper and other materials with a screw fastening that you can undo whenever you like. This version is brass-plated, has a head of Ø 10 mm and is designed for a material thickness of 5 mm.

Each Chicago screw consists of a hollow screw post with an internal thread and the matching screw part. Because the fastening can be reopened, it suits any project where you may want to swap parts later or add pages, such as interchangeable belt buckles, dog collars, books and booklets or loose sheets.

Fitting Chicago screws

First punch or pierce the holes where the parts are to be joined and line up the layers exactly. Then push the screw part through the holes and turn it into the hollow screw post. The hole should match the shaft of the screw: if it is too large, the fastening wobbles; if it is too small, the material is hard to push through.

Which thickness to choose

These screws are intended for a material thickness of 5 mm. With leather, card or stacks of paper of this thickness, the fastening sits firmly. With much thinner material it may have some play, and with much thicker material a model with a longer shaft is the better choice. It is best to try it first on an offcut.

Brass-plated Chicago screws product details

• Product: Chicago screw (book screw)
• Construction: hollow screw post with internal thread and matching screw part
• Head size: Ø 10 mm
• For material thickness: 5 mm
• Colour: brass-plated
• Fastening: metal, removable

You will also need: hole punch pliers or punch for the holes in the material, a suitable screwdriver for tightening