Struggling with wooden lock!!!

[Cutting Cathy]

I have been trying to get my wooden lock made the last couple weeks, but keep running into problems!! This one seems silly, but I'm going to ask anyway!! I'm on step number 5, I've cut the rectangular outline. I had to freehand the 1 1/2 inch hole, but I think I did a pretty good job!

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Then it talks about drilling a 3/8" x 1/8" deep holes for the buttons. I don't know if I got the wrong size buttons, but there is no way they are going to fit into that hole!!

Lock button.jpg

I got 1/2" buttons like it says. Am I missing something or should this be 1/2" holes?? Thanks so much for always helping me even with the silly questions!!!

[Rolf]

I just looked at the buttons. It is a 1/2 inch button but the plug part of it fits a 3/8 hole.
I don't have the package anymore but it should tell you the hole diameter it will fit.
It is one of the last things to be put on anyway, so leave it with the 3/8 hole.
The buttons you bought are for a 1/2 inch hole.

One other heads up. In figure 11 it tells you NOT to glue the shackle pin (dowel), you will do that in fig 17.
I screwed up when I did the test cut and glued it, I later had to drill it out.

[Cutting Cathy]

Thank Rolf!!! At least I know I'm not crazy... well I don't think I am! I just figured 1/2" diameter meant 1/2" diameter. I have not drilled the holes in my lock for this yet. I drilled practice holes to set the depth, that's how I realized it would not fit. Do you think I could use them and drill them 1/2 or should I get 3/8" plugs instead?? "Thanks so much for your help!!

[Wood Dog]

Cathy I'm not sure what size buttons I used because I had a few loose buttons (don't you dare say you already knew....) in my box of cool stuff. I just took the measurement of the part that glues into the wood and drilled that size hole. Smart practice drilling holes in scrap first.......I'm keeping that tip. Thanks.
Just have fun, its a neat project to work on.

[Cutting Cathy]

Thank you Wood Dog!! This is a junk drawer:

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I know everyone has a junk drawer but this is the first time I've heard of a box of cool stuff!! I'm going to have one of them from now on!! I love that term!! I have a hard time deviating from the instructions, but I'm gonna go for it!! I'm headed out to the shop to finish my lock! I'll be back with pictures!!!

[Wood Dog]

Hey Cathy there is definitely a distinction between a junk draw, and a box of cool stuff.
Here is my junk draw
junk draw (Small).JPG
and here is one of my many boxes of cool stuff
box of cool stuff (Small).JPG

[Rolf]

Get the 3/8 buttons. I just went to Lowes and looked at the packaging on th plugs.
I think the article should have called for 3/8 not the 1/2 in the materials list.