10 Pack 3/8" Solid Brass Gold Chicago Screws Leather Repair Screw Post Fastener Review (2026)

What a Chicago screw does and what's in the pack

A Chicago screw, also called a screw post or sex bolt, is a two piece fastener made of a male screw and a female threaded barrel that clamp layers of leather together through a single drilled hole, the same fastener commonly used on belts, straps, and tack repairs. This pack contains 10 complete sets, meaning 10 male 3/8 inch screws and 10 matching female posts, sized for projects like belts, cases, straps, and horse tack, as well as repairs on items like gun belts, holsters, bags, chaps, and motorcycle gear. Because the two halves thread together rather than being permanently deformed like a rivet, the connection can be tightened, loosened, and reused, which makes Chicago screws a common choice anywhere a leatherworker wants the option to take a piece apart later.

Brass and rust resistance

These screws are made from solid brass rather than a plated base metal, which matters because plating can wear through with repeated tightening and loosening, exposing steel underneath that is prone to rust once it is scratched or exposed to moisture. Solid brass keeps the same corrosion resistance and gold tone all the way through the fastener, so scuffs from a screwdriver or years of handling do not reveal a different colored metal underneath. This also gives the fastener a traditional, classic look that suits leather goods meant to age well, such as belts, tack, and holsters that see regular outdoor use, rather than the duller finish of a painted or coated steel alternative that can chip over time.

Sizing for medium stacks

The 3/8 inch post length is sized to clamp medium thickness leather stacks, such as a folded belt end, a two or three layer strap junction, or a typical holster seam, holding the layers snugly without excess post length sticking out the back that would need trimming. Buyers working with very thick stacks, like a multi layer saddle repair or a thick double belt, may find this length falls short and need a longer post instead, since Chicago screws only clamp properly when the post length roughly matches the material thickness. For the belt making, wallet, and general repair work this pack is aimed at, though, 3/8 inch covers a wide range of everyday leather thicknesses without needing to stock multiple lengths.

Removable design vs permanent rivets

Because the male and female halves simply thread together rather than being crimped or hammered into a permanent shape, a Chicago screw connection can be undone with a screwdriver whenever needed, which is the main advantage over a rivet for parts that may need replacing. This is especially useful on removable buckles, where a wearer might want to swap hardware finishes or replace a worn buckle without cutting and re-punching the strap, or on repair jobs where a fastener may need to be re-tightened later. The trade-off is that a threaded connection can also work itself loose under repeated flexing or vibration in ways a rivet never would, since nothing is physically deforming the metal to lock it in place.

Value and keeping them tight

At 10 sets per pack, this is sized more for a handful of repairs or a single belt making project than for stocking a workshop, so buyers doing regular production work should plan to order multiple packs or a larger bulk pack instead. Because a purely threaded fastener can back out over time with flexing or vibration, many leatherworkers add a small drop of thread locking adhesive to the threads before final tightening, which keeps the screw from loosening without giving up the ability to remove it later with heat or solvent. With that small extra step, these brass screws offer a durable, classic looking fastener for belts, tack, and general leather repair at a fair price for the quantity included.

Frequently asked questions