Binding with Chicago screws / posts – what size should I buy

[bbarlen]

Don’t buy any size at all!!!

I’ll begin this message by saying that I know you don’t use Chicago screws to send a script to an agent or anyone else you might submit material to. They are 100% incorrect screenplay format, and you’ll get no argument from me when it comes to that point.

However, I’m interested in getting some of these for my own personal use, to bind the scripts that I have in my library. The brads, even when hit with a hammer, tend to catch on the other scripts, and since I’ve got no need to open them up again for photocopying, I’d like to use Chicago posts.

I have some questions about what size to buy. In the rec.screenwriting newsgroup archives, someone recommended the 1/2“ size. The 1/2” refers to the shaft length, and the screw thread is 3/8”, so it seems like there would be a bit of flex if the screw wasn’t completely tightened. Do the threads need to fully engage, or will they stay locked even if they’re only tightened a few turns? In an archived post someone mentioned using superglue to permanently lock the threads, which seems messy and inconvenient.

Taking a random measurement of 20 scripts sitting on my shelf, most of them have a spine between 3/8” and 3/4” wide. Would a 3/8” size be better? I don’t want to get them too large, since they might not tightly bind the pages of slightly shorter scripts.

Can anyone who uses these please give me some advice? I see that they’re available for sale at the Writer’s Store. Does anyone know what size they’re selling?

For anyone interested in ordering Chicago screws, I found this website that has a very extensive selection.

www.mc2office.com/catalogCan/index.htm (http://www.mc2office.com/catalogCan/index.htm)

Bob

[refriedwhiskey]

You've measured 20 scripts and come up with an average.

What additional information do you expect will come from the assembled minds of DoneDeal?

[ComicBent]

Like you, I was interested in them for some personal things, so I ordered some 1/2" size from The Writers Store.

After you brought the matter up, I just had to know the answer. So I screwed one pair down all the way (to see the greatest number of pages that would fit if the screw pair is tightened all the way down).

Incredibly, it was exactly 120 pages!

This means that your 100 to 110-page script will probably still be all right, once it has holes in it and print on it. But your 90-pager might be kind of loose.

You might have to buy the shorter size for you shorter scripts.

[bbarlen]

Hi Comicbent,

Thanks very much for checking this! :) I know it's silly, but I want to order some and I appreciate the detailed report. Did you get the silver ones, or the brass color?

refriedwhiskey - the place that I'm ordering from only sells the Chicago screws in packs of 100, so I was just a bit hesitant to order 100 when they could turn out to be a bit too loose. I have a tremendous amount of faith in the collected minds of DoneDeal!

I guess it makes sense to have two sizes, one for the shorter scripts and one for the longer ones. That's how it is with the brads (#5 and #6), so it seems like a 3/4” Chicago screw would be better for the short scripts.

OK, enough of this silliness. Back to writing! Thanks again for replying!

Bob

[gaterooze]

For the record, and inquiring minds -- Chicago Screws are amazing little doodads I used for for leather-bound photographic portfolios. If you were thinking of going really crazy/silly (again, for your very own library), you could house your incredi-opus thusly. Sam Flax and other artist & photographer supply chains would carry them (as well as the screws, natch).

[filmcarver]

wow what a bunch of housekeepers

i've got a large box in my adjacent attic full of scripts with title scribbled on the front cover.

everytime i need to find one, it's like christmas

[ComicBent]

I went with silver - just my mood that day. :)