The final drill bit’s width should be roughly the size of the lock core. To drill a lock open, you will need a power drill and several bits, progressing in width.

Drilling a lock is best left to a professional locksmith, but the process can be done by an individual who has experience with power tools. Be careful if you are drilling the lock yourself, as you could harm the file cabinet or yourself. Drilling a lock will not only open a lock without a key, but it will also open most broken locks. If there is no way to coax the broken file cabinet lock into opening one last time, it will need to be drilled open. Make sure you are turning your key properly as you try these methods. Solutions for a broken lock include using lubrication in the keyway, lifting and moving the drawer to alleviate weight issues. In either case, you might be able to temporarily get your broken file cabinet lock into a temporary working position. The second is a problem with the greater lock assembly. The first is the lock cylinder will not work with the proper key. Broken File Cabinet LockĪ file cabinet lock will often break in one of two ways. So how do you open a locked file cabinet when you have either of these issues? 1. This is simple enough with an existing key for a working file cabinet, but you might not have a functioning lock or a functioning key. How To Open A Locked File Cabinetįor you to undergo filing cabinet lock replacement, you need to be able to get the top drawer open. File cabinets where only drawers with locks can be locked, work by a cam or latch on the back of the cylinder that rotates into a locked or unlocked position depending on how the keyway is manipulated. When the lock is opened, the corresponding lock assembly opens all other drawers. Most file cabinet locks have one keyed cylinder that controls a lock assembly. Consult a locksmith before performing any kind of destructive entry yourself. If the lock is not working with the authorized key, then you will likely need to open the cabinet by drilling the lock. Picking, bypassing, and other keyway manipulation tactics are possible only if the file cabinet lock is working properly. How do you get into a locked filing cabinet? You may also wish to install a hasp and padlock on one drawer and not others. Often there is a punch on the top right of the cabinet that can be knocked out with a hammer to make room for a lock. You can install locks on most filing cabinets that do not have locks. How can I lock a filing cabinet without a lock? If you do not feel comfortable doing these things yourself, you can enlist the aid of a locksmith.

But you need to be able to open the cabinet, have proper replacement parts, and know the replacement procedure. Yes, filing cabinet locks can be replaced.

FAQs Can a filing cabinet lock be replaced? For more info, be sure to contact a professional locksmith. So whether you are trying to rebuild your office security after a break-in or changing all the locks in your new home, including the file cabinets that were left behind, you should find all the information you need. You may also be interested in the answers to some frequently asked questions about file cabinet lock replacement. In this article, we will go over how to change the lock on a file cabinet, how to open a locked file cabinet, and what you need to know when looking for replacement parts. Here is what you will need to know to replace your file cabinet locks: That means if keys have gone missing, you should change your locks. No matter if your locks are working or not, you can undergo file cabinet lock replacement. So you need working locks that only certain people have keys to. Whether your filing cabinet is in a home or an office, the locks have to be reliable. File cabinet lock replacement is extremely important for the security and wellbeing of your private documents.

Filing cabinet lock