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If you’re not sure how to put a lock on a wood box, there are several basic steps to follow. You’ll need a straightedge and a craft knife to score the box surface, a craft knife to make the mortise, and a narrow chisel to deepen the mortise. If you’re not sure how deep to drill the mortise, you can use an inverted lock to check the depth.
Embellishing your project with a mortised lock
Adding a mortised lock to a wooden box has many benefits for the homeowner. Not only will the lock add functionality, it will also enhance the overall appearance of the piece. Mortised locks are extremely easy to install, and the process for installing them is similar no matter what type of mortise lock you choose. Listed below are some of the key features of mortise locks.
Before you begin installing a mortise lock, measure the thickness of the door. It should be approximately the same as the thickness of the mortise lock. If the door is too thin, you may need to reverse the latch to prevent it from striking the door frame. Once you have made the adjustments necessary to install the mortise lock, you’re ready to start installing the lock!
After installing the mortise, you must install the lock faceplate. The lock faceplate should sit flush against the drawer front. To install the lock, use a drill press and a bit of a suitable width. Once installed, secure the mortise with screws. Before installing the strike plate, mark the mortise using the permanent marker. After it is centered, center the strike plate over the mark and score its outline with a craft knife.
To remove the mortise lock, you need to remove the spindle and housing. If it is stuck in the wood, use a flashlight to locate the small tab. Next, use an Allen wrench or flat-head screwdriver to unscrew the lock cylinder. You can also use an Allen wrench to push it out of the housing. Be careful not to press too hard, though, as this may cause permanent damage.
Drilling a shallow mortise
Before you start drilling a mortise on a wooden box, you should measure the size of the piece you intend to use. You can use a marking gauge to determine the size of the piece. Make sure you measure accurately so you know how much material to cut out. You can also use a small router plane or an Old Woman’s Tooth router. Once you have measured, you can use a skew or paring chisel to flatten the bottom of the mortise.
When you are ready to begin drilling, you can use a router or chisels to cut the box. You can also work freehand to remove excess wood and then clean it up with a chisel. Regardless of the method, you should use sharp chisels to clean up the debris. Drilling a shallow mortise on a wooden box is easier than you may think!
To begin a shallow mortise, make sure you place the chisel on the opposite end of the box. Hold the chisel squarely and strike it with a mallet. After you have cut the box to the desired depth, you should make sure that the sides are perpendicular and square. You can then fill the box with glue and paint.
Once the mortise has been completed, you can make the tenon. The length of the tenon depends on the size of the finished mortise. A marking gauge helps you layout the tenon. Make sure the tenon is slightly smaller than the depth of the mortise. The length is important to prevent glue from bottoming out. This way, you won’t accidentally glue the wrong part of the box together.
To begin drilling a shallow mortise on a wood box, you need a Forstner bit for a cordless drill and a chisel for the corners where the bit cannot reach. The diameter of the mortise should be about two-thirds of the diameter of the hinge, as smaller diameters require more chiseling. To mark the hinge outline, mark it with a pencil or a sharp utility knife.
Once you have marked the location for the mortise, you need to install the lock faceplate. Make sure the mortise is shallow enough to accommodate the lock faceplate. If the lock is on a rail, you will need to set the drill press to the same depth as the mortise. Be sure to center the bit over the end lines of the hinge to prevent overlapping and imprecise holes.
