Chicago screws are two-piece fasteners (a barrel post and a mating screw) that join materials through a pre-punched hole. They’re widely used when you want a clean, removable connection rather than a permanent rivet.

• Common projects: leather belts and straps, DIY leather repairs, watch bands, scrapbooks, photo albums, and menu or catalog binding.
• Why people like them: they’re simple to install, sit flush or low-profile, and can be taken apart later to add, remove, or replace pieces.
• What you’ll see on Walmart.com: options in stainless steel, brass, and other metals; various diameters (like M4 or M5) and post lengths (listed in millimeters) to match your material thickness.

You’ll often see Chicago screws referred to by a few other names. These terms generally describe the same two-piece fastener with a barrel post and screw.

• Binding posts
• Screw posts
• Binding screws
• Phillips binding post screws (when the drive style is specified)

On Walmart.com, product titles may use any of these names, along with descriptors like round head, flat head, or specific finishes (for example, nickel plated or brass). If you’re browsing, check the item photos and specs—if it’s a two-part post-and-screw set sized by diameter and post length, you’re in the right spot.

Picking the right size is about matching the post diameter to your hole and the post length to your material stack.

1. Measure thickness: Stack everything you’re fastening and measure the total thickness.
2. Match diameter: Choose a post diameter (e.g., M4 or M5) that fits the hole you plan to punch. The hole should be just large enough for the post to pass through.
3. Select post length: Pick a length that’s about equal to—or slightly greater than—the stack thickness so the screw can fully engage.
4. Confirm details: On Walmart.com, product pages list diameter and post length in millimeters, plus head/drive style, so you can align with your project’s look and tools.

Installation is straightforward and usually only takes a few minutes.

1. Mark and punch holes: Measure, mark, and create a clean hole sized to the post diameter.
2. Insert the post: Place the barrel post through the hole from one side.
3. Thread the screw: Align the screw on the opposite side and start threading by hand to avoid cross-threading.
4. Tighten gently: If it’s a Phillips drive, use a Phillips screwdriver to snug it. Avoid overtightening to reduce the chance of stripping or crushing softer materials.
5. Check fit: Verify the joint is secure but not overly compressed. Recheck after initial use, since materials can settle and may benefit from a light retighten.

They’re designed to be taken apart and reused, which is a big advantage over permanent rivets. Many customers use them when they expect to swap parts, add pages, or adjust a leather strap over time.

• Good for adjustments: Scrapbooks, photo albums, and belts often benefit from the ability to re-open and reassemble.
• Care tips: Start threading by hand to avoid cross-threading, and tighten only until snug. This can help maintain the threads for repeated use.
• Material choices: Options like stainless steel or solid brass are often chosen when durability is a priority. You’ll find replacement sets and assorted sizes on Walmart.com if you need spares.