No one product or application is alike. With such a variety of sizes to choose from along endless ways in which they can be used, figuring out what hardware to use can become a daunting task. In an effort to lend a helping hand we have put together this guide.
Whether you are in the designing, prototyping or hardware replacement stages of a product we hope you'll find this guide useful. The information presented below pertains to items found on this website and was designed to incorporate the use of standard and readily available tools and is to be used as a reference only.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Product Titles: The size listed on all our Screw and Post product titles refers to the shank length of the product.
Product Notes: It is important to read the "Notes" section of each product before purchasing. Each product has a notes section which can be found towards the bottom of the product description in each product page. There you will find important information relating to the product which could be crucial to making sure you purchase the correct item(s) and quantity. Specially when mix and matching between different finishes or creating your own set (Screw & Post combination).
Post Diameter: Chicago Posts with a #4 thread have a post shank diameter of 5/32" (4MM). Posts with a #8 thread have a post shank diameter of 13/63" (5.2MM).
"Mini" vs. "Standard": Items with a #4 thread are referred to as "Mini" throughout this website. Items with a #8 thread are referred to as "Standard" throughout this website. Below is an image displaying the difference between our Mini and Standard Screws and Posts. For reference all items below have a 1/4" shank length. #4 and #8 thread are not compatible with each other. When mix and matching between different finishes or creating your own Screw & Post combination, please make sure the items you will be using together have the same thread size. The thread size of each item can be found in the product description.
*Image not to scale*
- Post Shank Length:
- Post length is measured starting from underneath the head to the end of the shank.
- Due to the design and manufacturing procedures involved, our screw and post combinations when used together do not bottom out when fastened all the way regardless of what length screw is being used. Therefor please allow for some additional length on top of the length being purchased as follows:
- #4 and #8 Threads: Allow up to an additional 0.020" (0.51mm) when using same length post and screw together. Example: When using a 1/4" (6.3mm) shank length for the screw and post, expect a total spacing or holding capacity between the heads of 0.270" (6.85mm) when fastened all the way. Notice it is not 0.250" (6.3mm), the length of the product lengths.
- Tip: using a screw shank length one size below the post shank length being used will provide a slightly tighter fit, roughly 0.005" (0.13mm) tighter. Example: If using a 1/4" (6.3mm) shank length post, use a 3/16" (4.7mm) shank length screw. This would net you a total spacing or holding capacity between the heads of 0.265" (6.72mm) when fastened all the way.
- Please note for some applications this added spacing may be insignificant and negligible but should be taken into account when working with precise dimensions and materials.
- The post shank length should be shorter or equal to the thickness of the material to be bound or fastened. When working with materials that fluctuate in thickness due to compression such as leather, choose the shank length based on the thinnest thickness you expect to come across.
- When the thickness of your material varies by 2mm or more throughout, we recommend you consider using more than one shank length accordingly.
- Going too long will result in swivel like movement and loose fit.
- When being used to bind dense materials such as metal, plastic or wood, consider a smaller length versus the exact length (when available) as these materials do not compress and you may end up with a loose fit.
- Post Shank Hole Diameter:
- Hard Materials (Ex. Metal, Plastic, etc...): We recommend the diameter of the hole in which the post will be inserted through be a minimum of .005" (.13mm) larger than the size of the post shank diameter. This will ensure a precise fit and allows for any variance among pieces. Please note that when drilling such a precise hole minor things may adversely affect fitment such as burrs left behind after drilling. For our #8 thread posts we recommend using a #4 drill bit. #4 being the minimum clearance recommended for a precise fit. For our #4 thread posts we recommend using a #20 drill bit. #20 being the minimum clearance recommended for a precise fit.
- Soft Materials (Ex. Leather, Etc...): For #8 thread posts use our 13/64" punch. For #4 thread posts use our 5/32" punch.
- Using too big of a hole will result in a loose fit and reduce the holding power underneath the head possibly compromising the hold. For head diameter size please refer to specific product page.
- Screw Shank Length
- Screw shank length is measured starting from underneath the head to the end of the shank.
- Our recommended minimum thread engagement length for a #8 screw when being used in conjunction with a Chicago Post is 1/8" or 75% of the length of the Chicago Post, whichever is greatest. (Please reference Chicago Post section above on how to measure length of post)
- Not adhering to the above guidelines:
- You risk compromising the structural strength of the screw and post combination.
- Although not required, at your discretion we recommend using thread locker. For convenience we offer the following thread lockers.
- If your product allows for interchanging of hardware finishes or is repairable we recommend using a low strength thread locker to simply prevent the screw from backing out prematurely yet allow for future removal.
- If you don't expect to ever have to remove the fasteners then a high strength permanent thread locker will do the job.
- Screw Shank Hole Diameter (Where applicable):
- Hard Materials (Ex. Metal, Plastic, etc...): The diameter of the hole in which the screw shank will be inserted through should be a minimum of .005" (.13mm) larger than the diameter of the screw shank, also known as major diameter when speaking of threads. For a #8 thread we recommend using a #19 drill bit. #19 being the minimum clearance recommended for a precise fit. For a #4 thread we recommend using a #32 drill bit. #32 being the minimum clearance recommended for a precise fit. For a #3 thread we recommend using a #37 drill bit. #37 being the minimum clearance recommended for a precise fit.
- Soft Materials (Ex. Leather, etc...): For Screws with #8 thread use our 3/16" punch. For Screws with #3 or #4 thread use our 1/8" punch.
- Using too big of a hole will result in a loose fit and reduce the holding power underneath the head.
Sizes in ascending order: Mini, Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large/Sam Browne
Recommended material thickness range and button hole punch for each button:
Mini: Recommended material thickness: 1/32"-3/32" (0.79mm-2.37mm). Use with our 5/32" (4MM) Button Head Punch for a perfect button hole. For a perfect screw hole, use our 1/8" (3.1MM) Round Punch Drive.
Extra Small: Recommended material thickness: 1/16"-7/64" (1.6mm-2.7mm). Use with our 3/16" (5MM) Button Head Punch for a perfect button hole. For a perfect screw hole, use our 1/8" (3.1MM) Round Punch Drive.
Small: Recommended material thickness: 3/64"-5/32" (1.2mm-3.9mm). Use with our 15/64" (6MM) Button Head Punch for a perfect button hole. For a perfect screw hole, use our 3/16" (4.7MM) Round Punch Drive.
Medium: Recommended material thickness: 3/64"-5/32" (1.2mm-3.9mm). Use with our 15/64" (6MM) Button Head Punch for a perfect button hole. For a perfect screw hole, use our 3/16" (4.7MM) Round Punch Drive.
Large: Recommended material thickness: 3/64"-13/64" (1.2mm-5.1mm). Use with our 15/64" (6MM) Button Head Punch for a perfect button hole. For a perfect screw hole, use our 3/16" (4.7MM) Round Punch Drive.
Sam Browne: Use with our 15/64" (6MM) Button Head Punch for a perfect button hole. For a perfect screw hole, use our 3/16" (4.7MM) Round Punch Drive.
Still need help? If so, please contact us and provide us with your question, concern or issue at hand. We'll be glad to help!