First of all, most of the locks on desks and filing cabinets are “factory” locks that are often supplied by the company that makes the furniture. Most of the time, the manufacturer only gives you a limited number of ways to use the keys. Some companies only make twenty different kinds of keys.
Because it is made of metal, a metal file cabinet has a few problems. Most importantly, non-custom cabinets don’t look very different from one another because the metal can only be coated and textured in certain ways. Metal is easy to dent, which causes finish flaws that are hard, if not impossible, to fix. Most file cabinets are made with resonant architecture, which means that when the drawers are opened and closed, they can make a lot of noise.
Most of the time, the phrase “keyed alike” means a group of locks that all open with the same key. We have a lot of locks that work with the same key, but these examples are only about filing cabinets. For example, if you order three locks with the same key, all of them will work with the same key, so you won’t have to carry around a lot of keys. Since most locks come with two keys, you would need six identical keys (two for each lock) to open your three locks. For example, Keyed Alike locks let groups of file cabinets in an office be locked and unlocked with the same key. Find out how many keys come with a lock by reading the product description. In a big building with many departments, you can require that each department lock its own cabinets so that no department can see the files of another. For each group of cabinets, order a different keyed number that is the same size. ie. The first department, the second department, and the third department all use locks with number one keys. If you ordered filing cabinet lock kits based on a keyed alike number, each kit would come with two keys; check the product details to be sure. If you ordered three kits with keys like key number 5, you would get three kits and six keys that could be used to open all three locks. With keyed alike, you can also order more locks with the same key number at a later date. ie. If you order three lock kits that are all keyed to number 5, you will be able to order more locks that use that key in the future. Most people want to know about keyed alike or key number:
Can you get a new key for the file cabinet?
If you lose the key to your vertical or lateral file cabinet, it’s easy to get a new one. Most of the time, the support from the cabinet maker is enough, but it may take a while. It might be too much to ask you to wait for a new key for weeks.
What do you do if you lose the key to a file cabinet?
Move the tool three to five times up and down. By moving the pins in the lock in this way, you can easily open the cabinet. Most home locks have five pins that move smoothly when you turn the key. To open the cabinet, you have to move these pins.
How can the lock on a file cabinet be changed if you don’t have the key?
If the only thing you need to get into the cabinet is the key you lost, you might not need to change the lock. Take a picture of the lock and a copy of the numbers on the front of the lock to a nearby locksmith. Most locksmiths can make a key that will open the cylinder if you lose yours.
Should locks be changed or rekeyed?
Changing the key to a lock is almost always cheaper than getting a new lock. This is because the key pins inside locks are cheaper, but you have to buy all new parts when you replace a lock.
Even without the original, a locksmith can make a key.
If you lose your key, a locksmith can make you a new one because they know how to make keys by hand. With a blank, a file, and the skills they’ve gained over time, a locksmith can make a key from scratch without using the original key.
What does a key for core removal look like?
This key is needed to take out and put in new lock cores. It doesn’t work like a normal key to lock or unlock your door. Some locks need to be unlocked before the lock core can be taken out. It is also called a Pull Key, a Change Key, a Control Key, and a Core Removal Tool.
How do you open a lock if you don’t have the key?
On the side of the door that doesn’t lock, there should be a small hole in the knob. To open the door, you have to push a small button that is hiding in the hole. To open it, you only need a strong, straight tool. Use a paperclip that has been straightened or a tiny screwdriver made for fixing glasses.
Can I change the key on my own?
You can get a professional to rekey a lock for a small fraction of the cost. Even though most lock makers sell rekeying kits, they can’t be used with each other. For each type of lock in your home, you need to buy a kit.
How long does it take to change the lock’s key?
Rekeying a lock usually takes 15 minutes, but the time it takes will depend on the type of lock and how skilled the technician is. The hardest part of rekeying is taking the lock off the door, which takes the most time. Should you change the key on your own if it’s easy?
Is it simple to change a lock’s key?
If your lock has pins and tumblers, it’s not as hard to change the key as it seems. First, you have to buy a rekey kit that is made for the type of lock you have. The package should come with a variety of tools to help take the lock off, as well as pins of different sizes.