A filing cabinet is a piece of furniture used in offices and homes to store and arrange paperwork. To help keep documents secure, many of these cabinets have locks that may have cam or plunger-type locking systems. The owners of these cabinets frequently need to update the locks on these cabinets owing to misplaced keys or to stop unauthorized access in an office setting. Fortunately, even if you no longer have the key, replacing a filing cabinet lock is not too difficult.
Three Easy Steps For Repairing A Broken Filing Cabinet Lock
Because the file cabinet lock can keep vital documents and other objects secure, a filing cabinet is a perfect addition to your home office. However, a filing cabinet lock is not damage-proof. Filing it to capacity and beyond can cause the lock to flex when you close the door, and slamming the filing cabinet door can cause the lock to break or jam. All of these things may make it difficult or impossible to open the drawer or work the lock.
Items Needed
- Screwdriver
- Filing Cabinet Lock
- Wrench
- Drill
- Vice
- Pliers
Step 1: Open The Filing Cabinet
- The filing cabinet frequently jams when a lock malfunctions, preventing you from getting in. You cannot possibly fix the filing cabinet lock if you cannot open the drawer. If the filing cabinet isn't too big or packed with stuff, you can turn it upside down to unlock the lock. A lot of locks rely on gravity to operate, thus tilting the cabinet upside down and jiggling the drawer may force the pins to drop, releasing the drawer. If the problem was due to a simple jam, this can also fix the lock.
- A screwdriver placed between the drawer's top and the cabinet can also be used to open the drawer. To lift the filing cabinet's top lip over the metal lock, push up on the screwdriver in the center to produce leverage. However, doing so might harm the filing cabinet.
- Using a drill is the only other option to unlock a locked filing cabinet. To serve as a brace, place the filing cabinet flush against a wall. Start drilling by positioning the drill bit in the filing cabinet lock's center. The drill's force and torque will cause the lock to pop off internally. The lock is harmed by this, necessitating replacement.
Step 2: Remove Pins And Latches
- The filing cabinet lock may stop working properly if the metal latch is deformed. Remove the screws keeping them in place using the screwdriver. It is simple to remove the lock from the drawer. With the lock in the vice, bend the metal latch back into place with the help of the wrench. Put the lock in its proper place.
- You will need to open the lock casing and remove the lock if the pins are bent. Pins that have been bent are simple to identify and straighten back with pliers. It's crucial to apply light pressure in very small bursts. Before reattaching the lock to the filing cabinet drawer, put the shell back together and test the lock with the key.
Step 3: Remove The Lock
- The filing cabinet lock may be removed with ease while the door is open. To find a lock with the same diameter, use the old lock as a guide. It should be slid into the preceding lock's hole and secured with a screw.