In this, my first attempt at an Instructable, I will try to show you how to swap out a Lock for a Push Button.

I bought a set of drawers from a charity shop, it came with a lock, but no keys. I had a push button lying around and thought it might make a useful addition one day. Please note, at this point the button is not connected to anything. That's for you to think up.

Step 1: Remove and Disassemble the Lock

Open the drawer, and remove the lock.

Mine was held in place with a single wood-screw.

Pull the lock out, and remove the screw holding the bar.

The guts of the lock should then push out. We want the main body of the lock.

Different styles of locks will come apart differently. YMMV.

Put the little springs somewhere safe. they might come in useful one day...

Step 2: Test Fit the Button

As you can see, my button was too large to fit down the barrel of the lock, however, it's large face-plate will match nicely, so I'm still going to use it.

Which leads to the next step...

Step 3: Machining the Lock (and Button) to Fit

I have a Lathe, which makes this part fairly straight forward, however it would be possible to use a drill and a file. or even just a file. It'll just take longer.

I bored the barrel of the lock out to accept the threaded portion of the button.

I then turned the diameter of the button face-plate down so that it sat inboard of the edge of the barrel. This is so it sits where the keyhole was, and will make the finished thing more flush and better looking.