One of the go-to fasteners with leathercrafters is the Chicago Screw. Handy and reliable, it is one of the most used, most versatile items on any crafter’s bench. A Chicago Screw is a threaded barrel nut and screw that can combine many layers of material without having to sew.
Chicago screws go by various names such as inter screws, sleeve nuts, female nuts, binding barrels, and sex bolts – featuring a drilled-out barrel with a threaded centre. They are designed for use with a male machine screw, sometimes called a mating screw or connector bolt, which is threaded inside the barrel.
Chicago screws are stronger than rivets and can handle much more stress. Also, since they unscrew, people can easily disassemble the things to which they're attached.
