a friend has a 5 drawer “Remington Rand Aristocrat, Grade A” file cabinet, it’s old, maybe from the 60’s. The button on the top right, where you would put the key to unlock it, it’s missing, just an empty hole (and nothing in there that I could see). Never had a button.
Anyhow, apparently she closed the drawer one day, and heard a click click click click click and all the drawers were locked. All the drawers are full of stuff.
Anyway I can open this without destroying it? How do these things lock, anyways?
Marine Engineer
fair winds and following seas
Replies
If I recall correctly, these cabs locked by pushing the button in.
So gut tells me you should peer into the hole with a bright light and look for something to pull forward.
Or maybe push back if I am wrong.
Try laying it on it's back to see if the bottom is open and perhaps there is a mechanism visible.
Locksmith.
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I did look in the hole, nothing in there to pull. Don't want to put it on its back unless absolutely necessary, 'cause it's full of stuff that will get all messed up.Was hoping someone knew of a method to use a "slim jim" to unlatch the lock, or something like that.Marine Engineerfair winds and following seas
Tip the front end up and feel around for a slide on the side that has the lock. Sometimes, they extend to the bottom and can be pushed up to release the drawers. Otherwise, I guess she could call a locksmith.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
hey, you found time while watching all those "educational" video's to answer my question, thanks.Marine Engineerfair winds and following seas
That worked? I just pulled it out of my er, um, hat. Yes, that's where it was, in my hat!
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Like EricPaulson said, look in the hole and pull the silver lever toward you, toward the front edge of the cabinet. On mine, push the lock inward locks all the drawers, with lock all the way out all the drawers open. I would push all the drawers fully back into the cabinet first before you attempt to pull the lever forward, just in case one or two are hung up on the mechanism.
well, I won't be back to my friends apartment for a week or so, I'll let you all know what I find. Bright light, wire, pliers, drill, see if I can sort this out.Marine Engineerfair winds and following seas
The way mine is configured, I think a pair of needle nose pliers should do the job nicely.
I have a Steelcase filing cabinet and I just took a look at the locking mechanism. There's a spring that keeps the locking button pushed out. If that spring is missing, gravity would cause the drawers to lock. It seems that by turning the entire cabinet upside down, the drawers would unlock.
The bar that locks the drawers runs down the side of the cabinet and if the spring and rod that engage that bar were missing, the bar would not be visible through the hole. If you were to drill a hole on the side of the cabinet, you would be able to look through and see the mechanism. Then with a metal rod through the front hole you could probably catch and lift the locking bar.
Anyway, I'm glad I took a look at my cabinet because it seems that I've misplaced the key. I wrapped the locking button in tape so it can't accidentally be pushed in.
-Don
Call a company that sells commercial office furniture, like Steelcase or Herman Miller. They change the locks in our file cabinets all the time.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Locked file cabinets can usually be opened by jimmying the locking mechanism on the side of the drawer with something thin, like a letter opener. They have a sliding bar on the right side of the drawers that drops down when the lock is depressed, engaging a hook on the side of the drawer (which is sometimes a spring). You can either lift the bar up to disengage the hook or depress the spring hook to release it from the bar. You should be able to pry the drawer away from the side just enough to see what you are doing. Open the top drawer first. Unless it's an old high-end cabinet, you'll then be able to get to the locking mechanism to unlock the whole deal. DAMHIKT.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
If all else fails, take a 4" grinder with cutting wheel to the back. Start with a small hole on the side with the sliding bar. You may be able to lift it up. Make the hole bigger until you are able to get the drawers open!You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
And if that does not work, a torch or some c4 (;-).
thanks guys. and if I asked how much, ballpark, a locksmith will cost, I'm sure someone will chime in with $69,723.45, or thereabouts.Marine Engineerfair winds and following seas
demo saw...
$69,723.45, or thereabouts plus blades...
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