Use Chicago screws to attach a belt buckle or join leather layers with hardware that can be removed and reattached.
The Leather Element | All About Chicago Screws — Weaver Leather Supply on YouTube
Chicago screws are a two-piece post-and-screw fastener: a female barrel with internal threads, and a male screw that threads into it from the other side. Unlike a rivet, a Chicago screw can be unscrewed and reinstalled, which makes it a popular choice for attaching a belt buckle — if the buckle ever needs to be swapped or the strap replaced, the screw comes apart cleanly instead of being cut out.
What you'll need
Chicago screws, sized in diameter and length to your leather thickness and hole size
A hole punch matched to the screw's barrel diameter
A flathead or Phillips screwdriver (matched to the screw head)
A leather belt buckle end, if attaching a buckle
Thread-locking adhesive (optional, for a permanent set)
Steps
Fold the strap end around the buckle's bar to form the loop, and mark where the screw holes need to fall through both layers.
Punch matching holes through both layers at the marked points, sized to the screw's barrel.
Insert the female barrel through the holes from one side.
Thread the male screw into the barrel from the opposite side by hand until snug.
Tighten with a screwdriver until firm, but avoid overtightening — leather can compress and dent under too much torque, leaving the screw loose again once it settles.
Add a drop of thread-locking adhesive into the threads before final tightening if you want the screw to stay permanently fixed rather than adjustable.
Check the buckle swings freely on its bar and that the folded loop lies flat once the screws are set.
💡 Tip
If a Chicago screw works loose over time with use, it's easy to snug it back up with a screwdriver — check buckle attachments periodically rather than assuming hardware never needs maintenance.
