How to Install a Half Mortise Lock

Installing a half mortise lock may seem daunting but if you break the process out into steps it becomes much more simple.
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Instagram: / mattcremona
Twitter: / mattcremona

[@daviddorman274]

"Master at work", pleasure to watch a Master.

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@MakeSomething]

Awesome. Your instructional skills are great!

[@mcremona]

Thanks so much, David!

[@davidkuhns8389]

Very clear. Thanks for posting.

[@mcremona]

Thank you!

[@laurentc5453]

Neat job. I don't have your carving skills. I would have screwed the lock against the door. I guess you carved the hinges too. I looks like they fit perfectly flush. I would have fit them outside.

[@user-xo9bn6jx4j]

Great video! But I was wondering...how small can you go? I have a jewelry box that I would love to install a lock too, especially one with a skeleton key. But it is fairly small and thin. What do you recommend?

[@mcremona]

Thank you Victoria! I haven't seen a smaller lockset before but I really haven't looked. This lock is made for 3/4" thick doors. You could probably get away with 5/8" thickness at the minimum

[@aaronmurray2691]

holy mega chisel batman!

[@caaaarter]

I think you should have used bigger hinges... that door looks like it would be too heavy for those

[@mrjotay78]

Did you use an escutcheon on this? If so which one?

[@mcremona]

www.horton-brasses.com/H-509-H-509.asp

[@loganraimer]

i would have done all of this only using chisels cuz i hate setting a router and changing the depth every cut then having to clean every cut up

[@danthechippie4439]

Great demo, beautiful workmanship on the unit itself. What's the advantage between a half mortise lock and a standard full mortise lock?

[@jimsutton4850]

in your opening comment you mention putting the keyhole in the center of the workpiece, but you put the keyhole 1/2" above the center line. Why?

[@GuysShop]

Nice job as always Matt. As you have shown, it's all about the step by step process to get you through a semi-complicated hardware install like this. Thanks for demystifying it and making it seem simple!

[@mcremona]

Thanks Guy!

[@skyedangelo3237]

Man took me a minute to find the right search terms to find this type of lock 😆

[@briannamiller9931]

Would this work for a little treasure chest?

[@rboconnor8440]

Can someone tell me where to buy that lock mine broke i can't get the box open and if I do I'm sure I'm going to need a new lock tks.

[@mcremona]

horton brasses

[@Shaka_Vibe]

Great video, thank you. I'm really enjoying your videos. Quick question... Would you please share your source for the brass hardware? Looks like quality stuff! Very nice.

[@navypcc]

Loved the video, I've never tried to do a mortise, your video really showed it very well. What kind of Ryobi router setup is that ? I really liked all the adjustments it has. Looking forward to watching your videos.

[@MRrwmac]

Very nicely done especially since it was on a near finished piece AND while doing video. Nice and careful, turned out great! Congrats and thanks for sharing.

[@JorgeAraujo]

Awesome... really great detailed look at installing a the lock... 1 question, does the "bolt mortise" need reinforcement? or is the bolt going into the wood strong enough? I guess its a small cabinet really though. A nice brass plate would look good mortised in and the bolt could go in there... not to make more work for you....LOL! great video.

[@mcremona]

I've never had a problem with strength on the smaller cabinets. On the larger doors I'll use a strike plate. The lid of the secretary desk I'm working on has a half mortise lock with a strike plate mounted to the underside of the top. The strike plate adds a little bit more work! :)

[@Shaka_Vibe]

Scratch that! Wrote my question before the video ended. :)

[@mcremona]

haha! www.horton-brasses.comEasily the best customer experience from any company I've ever ordered anything from!

[@adamroman8242]

Great job and instructions. At the 9:38 mark you are doing some chisel work and some left over wood piece starts to move near the top by your hand and for a sec I thought the frame cracked! I actually said out loud "oh no" but then realized what it was. The whole project is coming out great, can't wait to see it finished.

[@mcremona]

HAHA! I just watched that part and that's exactly what it looks like. Suspenseful woodworking videos!

[@dpmeyer4867]

good job

[@workinwithme]

Nice job on the mortise lock. I'm trying to figure out how to install a lock on a shadow box. it looks like a picture frame on a wall but with a hinge. The door doesn't fit inside the cabinet like the one in your video, this one simply closes against the opening of the box. Would you happen to know the name of this kind of lock so that I may search for one? Very hard to explain without a picture. Thanks for any advice.

[@mcremona]

You'd be looking for a box or cabinet lock; like this www.horton-brasses.com/halfmortisebox.asp

[@howardhagadorn9443]

I was waiting for the latch mortise part so I could tell you about the lipstick trick, but you beat me to it. The drugstore had a clearance bin for .50 and I cleaned them out. I used it on toilet flanges for locating the holes in underlayment, installing door latches and marking electrical boxes when installing paneling. I'd be scared to use it for woodworking tho. The stuff gets all over everything. I don't know how women keep it on their faces. Nice neat job Matt

[@mcremona]

The mess is why I haven't tried it but in the cases you mentioned it would work great. I'll have to add a stick to my around the home tool kit. Another user mentioned carbon paper, which I think I'll try next time. Thanks for watching!

[@locohombre79]

Hey Matt, great video as usual! You probably know already that Lie Nielsen do a little draw lock mortise chisel that would have useful to you on this project. Thanks for sharing!

[@mcremona]

I don't know how I missed that. I just took a look at them and they look perfect for this sort of work. Luckily I don't make things this small very often. Usually I have enough room to work with my butt chisels. If I ever run into this again I will consider picking a set of those up. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Gonzomedic1]

Nicely done Matt what's up with the down votes? Haters!

[@mcremona]

haha! Thanks Thomas! Haters gonna hate

[@frankingram3382]

I enjoy watching you work and you are also a great teacher. Thanks for sharing your skills.

[@mcremona]

Frank Ingram Thank you so much Frank!

[@jonsikes1]

Nice video, but isn't there supposed to be a small metal frame with the classic keyhole shape that fits into the rough-drilled hole for the key so that the key glides into the lock mechanism?

[@mcremona]

depends on the escutcheon you use.

[@jonsikes1]

Cool. I had no idea there was a name for that particular piece. Are those typically sold separate from the half-mortise? Looking to turn an old wine box into a curios cabinet and with a skeleton key, I think it would be awesome.

[@adamhollermann5208]

Nice clear instructions, I appreciate the "how to" video.

[@mcremona]

Adam Hollermann Thank you Adam!

[@scotthaun8582]

I just did one of these this weekend. Wish I had watched this first...

[@mcremona]

Scott Haun lol! yeah I wish I had a video to go off of when I installed my first one.

[@nordyfamily]

Great stuff!

[@sebaocano3]

Very instructive, thanks for sharing.

[@mcremona]

Thanks for watching!

[@angelayala6394]

where could I buy one ?

[@mcremona]

+Angel Ayala This is the lock I used in the video: www.horton-brasses.com/LK-9.asp

[@angelayala6394]

Thanks