A file cabinet is a great way to keep your home office organized, but you might need to fix a drawer or just empty the cabinet to move it. To get the drawers out of a HON lateral file cabinet, you need two people. You have to open one side of the drawer before opening the other side, and the second person has to hold the end of the drawer that you just opened. You can take out a vertical file drawer on your own.
Yes, you can buy new locks for file cabinets. But you must have the right replacement parts on hand, be able to get to the cabinet, and know how to replace the parts. If you don’t feel comfortable doing these things on your own, you can call a locksmith for help.
To get to the lock core, open the top drawer of the filing cabinet. Most of the time, it is in the upper right corner of the top drawer. Take out the drawer to make more space to work.
If you work in a busy office, replacing the lock core on your filing cabinet every so often could be a good safety measure. It’s not hard to get there. The method is more stylish if the old lock is open or if you still have the key if it isn’t. If not, you might have to drill out the old core and break it down. Most of the time, you need a wrench or a pair of pliers to make the switch. However, some manufacturers make cores that can be swapped with a special key. Now it’s easier to switch them out often.
The drawers of HON file cabinets are locked with a cam lock. The bottom drawers are locked with a mechanism that works with the cam lock. The top drawer, on the other hand, is locked with a lock bolt on the cam. If you lose the keys or want to change the key, you have to replace the lock. Most file cabinets have cam locks that can be changed in the same way that the lock on an Hon file cabinet can be changed.
People often throw away cabinets because the locks have been broken or tampered with, but they may not know that buying and replacing file cabinet locks is much cheaper than buying a new cabinet. Look for a lock that is exactly the same as the one that is broken. Bring it with you to the hardware store if you can. Lock replacement is a smart choice because it saves you money on the cost of a new lock and helps keep your file cabinet contents safe.
How does the locking system on a filing cabinet work?
Most filing cabinets have drawer locks that make it hard to open the drawers. The lock is now in a position where it is locked or closed. The lock is stronger than any system inside a cabinet that would let things move. In interlocking systems from the past, you couldn’t open drawers when the lock was on.
Can you change the lock on a file cabinet?
Yes, you can buy new locks for file cabinets. But you must have the right replacement parts on hand, be able to get to the cabinet, and know how to replace the parts.
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 can the drawers be taken out of a Steelcase lateral file cabinet?
Press down on the lock catch on each side of the drawer as needed to pull it out. Pull the file drawer on the side out until it stops. As shown, pull the drawer up and out while pressing down on the lock retainers on each side of the drawer.
Are file cabinet locks universal?
When opened and closed with a padlock, it can be used as a universal lock for all drawers or to replace the locks on certain drawers. One or more drawers can also be locked or unlocked with other filing cabinet locks.
What is a plunger lock, anyway?
Piston-driven locks These are used on sliding glass doors, just like the ratchet lock. When the lock is shut, a bolt inside the mechanism moves in a slot forward and backward. The sliding glass door can’t be opened because of this.
What does “lateral filing” mean?
How to Understand Lateral Filing Cabinets When documents are added from the side, the identification tab is put on the side of the file. Grab the edges and sides of the paper to pull it away. This type of file system is better because it takes up less space.
How do you open a metal desk drawer?
To open the latch, turn the pins of the lock with a paperclip. Let the parallel paperclip move along with the internal parts as they press on the lock cylinder. While you look for the key, open the drawer and leave it slightly ajar.
Can a second key be made for a file cabinet?
Most locks have a code on the front of the cylinder that can be used to make a key that will open the lock at a factory. It’s easy, doesn’t cost much, and gives you control over your secure spaces. Send us the codes via email, and we’ll send you the keys in the mail.
How do you take parts out of a metal filing cabinet?
Take out the screws that are holding the inside faceplate to the outside handle. This makes it possible to take off the handle from the outside and see the file card and button mechanism inside. If you use your pliers to straighten out the tabs, it will be easy to take the file card holder off.
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.