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Build a Working Wooden Lock

12/10/2011 02:25:00 Adrian-Iredale

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Fun and functional lock is made entirely from wood

I began my journey in making wooden gadgets a few years ago when I purchased a wooden clock plan from Clayton Boyer, whose work was featured in Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Spring 2011 (Issue 42). I taught myself how to draw with a CAD program and then designed a few of my own projects. My wooden gadget videos on YouTube have had more than 850,000 views.

Although this lock project looks complex, you can build it in a day. The instructions guide you through the process, and you can also watch the video above that shows how to build a wooden lock. This lock is all wood—there are no metal parts. However, if you want to show off the inner mechanism, you can cut the front from clear acrylic.

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Comments (22 posted):

Rolf on 12/10/2011 10:55:41

I was fortunate to get to do the test cutting on this project. I think it is a great and very different project from the norm and it was a lot of fun to cut. The acrylic version is really cool for show and tell. When will the next issue come out with this project?

Terry Murphy on 12/10/2011 11:45:05

Kool! I am waiting for the next issue.

Band Saw Box on 12/11/2011 09:34:38

Very neat project. I'm going to have to get out my back issue and take another look. Ok I found the issue in the video but I did not see the lock in it. Am I over looking it or are the plans in another issue? I did have a book on wooden locks but I think I sold it. Can any one help me find the pattern for this lock.

Rolf on 12/11/2011 13:48:55

The lock is not in the issue used in the video. It will be in the spring issue that has not yet been released. So Dan you will have to wait for it.

Band Saw Box on 12/11/2011 16:35:54

Were there the problem then. I'll be on the look out for it in my mail..............well as soon as i renew my subscription that is. Thanks for the help Rolf

BobD on 12/12/2011 14:18:00

Thanks Rolf, Unfortunately, the author made the video BEFORE the magazine came out, so he used an issue he had as a prop in the article. There was no way I'd go back and make him re-do the video just to have the newest issue in the video. Bob

Rolf on 12/12/2011 21:12:42

So when will the new issue be out?

BobD on 12/13/2011 08:30:40

It mails to subscribers in a few days, and hits newsstands around the middle of January. Bob

Colin Bray on 12/17/2011 06:56:09

Hi All This is my first post I am interested in making the wooden lock. Could I get the magazine in Australia. If not how much to subcribe to the magazine and have it sent to Australia Regards Colin Bray :icon12:

Wood Dog on 12/17/2011 09:42:16

Welcome aboard Colin, new members are always welcomed here. Come by often for lots of information, and sharing. To subscribe to the magazine, just click on Subscribe Today on the left hand side of this post, scroll to the top of page. All the information is there. A very worthwhile magazine I might add.

Colin Bray on 12/17/2011 17:57:22

Thanks for your welome Wood Dog! I have subcribed to the magizine and no dought you here a lot more of me I will fix up my profile and tell you a little bit about My Australia cheers for now Col :icon7: PS have a great Christmas

dracosfire83 on 01/02/2012 20:24:23

:icon4: Not to sure how legal this topic is but this pattern was copyrighted by Tim Detweiler in his 2 books Making Working Wooden Locks back in 10-2000 and Making More Working Wooden Locks: Complete Plans For Five Working Wooden Locks back in 12-2003. :icon4:

Adrian-Iredale on 01/09/2012 06:15:12

I am familiar with Tim Detweiler's locks. He has done a great job of the projects in his books and they are well worth buying. However, the lock featured here is not his design. Compare the two. Sure, they are both wooden locks but this lock uses a different mechanism which I believe is easier to build and more robust than Tim's. Tim's measurements and methods have not been used here. It is true they look similar at first glance as they are both locks so the comment is understandable.

BobD on 01/09/2012 08:26:26

Thanks for clarifying that, Adrian. At the magazine, we checked into that before we even accepted Adrian's article. Best Regards, Bob Duncan Technical Editor

Rolf on 01/09/2012 08:57:11

For all that are going to make this lock. I would like to emphasize that all the areas where parts touch and rub, the spring, key, shackle must be very smooth and just before final assembly I rubbed the areas in question with some paraffin wax.

Wood Dog on 01/09/2012 10:17:00

Thanks for that tip Rolf, did you made the chain also? If you did what did you use to separate the links?

Rolf on 01/09/2012 12:53:22

WD I did make the chain that is on the cover. I have a Dremel 400 with the flex shaft. I used a 1/8 straight carbide burr to dig out most of it and the rest of the roughing I did with (i think) Kutzall brand flame burr Buy Carving Burr Gold Fine Grit 1 8 Shank at Woodcraft I also used a silver which is a bit rougher. The rest was a lot of sanding. Oh I did use a roundover bit on the 8 outside edges (trim router) before doing the rest of it.

rjhike on 02/08/2012 09:22:53

The plans call to drill a 3/8 inch diameter hole, 1/8 inch deep for the buttons, but the plans also call for 1/2 buttons, was this an error? Either 3/8 inch holes with 3/8 buttons, or 1/2 inch hole with 1/2 buttons?

BobD on 02/08/2012 09:28:39

Sorry, I addressed that question on a different thread; I should have copied and pasted my reply into this thread as well. The hole diameter is correct. Some buttons are sold by the outside diameter of the top of the button; that's where the 1/2"-diameter comes from. Make sure the buttons you buy have a 3/8" shank. I'm sorry we didn't make that more clear in the article. Best Regards, Bob Duncan Technical Editor

rjhike on 02/08/2012 11:38:23

Thanks for the quick reply. I now have extra buttons that I can use for another lock. I bought both sizes, only 5 cents per button. The lock is very cool. I plan on making the chain next.

Rolf on 02/08/2012 13:26:36

rjhike, Try leaving the lock with chains attached on your coffee table when you have company. It will become quite the conversation piece. But you have to be able to say NO or you will be making more.

rjhike on 02/08/2012 14:12:33

I would love to make more! This is the first project using a new saw, an Excalibur. I went from a small inexpensive scroll saw to the Excalibur, what a difference. So I plan on making more projects starting with the lock and chain.

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