Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to remove a drawer from a filing cabinet, yet you weren’t quite sure how to do it? The process may seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before; but fear not—the task isn’t as daunting as you think! All you need is a few basic tools and a bit of patience, and you’ll be able to easily remove drawers from a filing cabinet with no trouble. In this article, we’ll cover the steps necessary to complete this task, such as locating the release mechanism and pulling the drawer out of the cabinet. So, let’s get started on how to remove drawers from a filing cabinet!
How to Remove Drawers From a Filing Cabinet
Removing drawers from a filing cabinet is a surprisingly straightforward process. All you need to do is locate the release mechanism, then pull the drawer out of the cabinet. With the right combination of precision and muscle, you’ll have all your drawers removed in no time. While it may look intimidating at first, this guide will walk you through each step of the process, so that you can take the drawers out of your filing cabinet quickly and easily.
Preparing to Remove Drawers
Preparing to Remove Drawers: Before attempting to remove drawers from a filing cabinet, it is important to ensure that the cabinet is properly prepared for the removal process. Follow the steps below to prepare the filing cabinet for drawer removal:
- Unplug the filing cabinet, if it is electrically powered.
- Secure the filing cabinet to the wall, if it is wall-mounted.
- Make sure that any drawers that are located above the one to be removed are empty.
- Look behind the cabinet and check if there are any cables that need to be disconnected before the drawers can be removed.
- Turn off any power sources that are connected to the filing cabinet, if applicable.
By following these steps, you can make sure that the process of removing the drawers from your filing cabinet goes smoothly and without any hiccups. Additionally, it is also important to understand what type of filing cabinet you have, as some cabinets may have different processes for removing the drawers. Understanding this information prior to beginning the removal process can save you time and potential headaches in the future.
Locating the Release Mechanism
Before you can remove the drawers from your filing cabinet, you must locate the release mechanism. In most cases, the release mechanism is located at the back of the drawer or on the hand grip of the drawer itself. The releases are typically found at the top of the drawer and at the front edge. When you locate one of the releases, fully depress it until the drawer is released from the cabinet, then locate and depress the other release in the same manner. If you cannot locate the release mechanism, check the manufacturer’s website or user manual for help.
Pulling the Drawer Out of the Cabinet
Once the release mechanisms are engaged, grab the drawer by the handle, then slightly lift and tug towards you. Be sure to lift gently, as the drawer can be heavy and cause back strain. As you pull, keep the pressure even and consistent, until the drawer disengages from the cabinet completely. If you feel something jamming the drawer, stop immediately, and try gently pushing it back and forth, to ensure the drawer is fully removed.
Be sure to keep your fingers and hands away from the drawer edge; the metal can become hot and sharp, as it easily scrapes against the frame of the cabinet as you pull. It is best to wear gloves to protect your hands from any sharp metal edges.
Once the drawer is completely disengaged from the rails, it can be moved out of the way. Before handling the rear panel of the drawer, remember the metal is magnetised, so keep any large metal objects away. Doing this will prevent any magnets or clasps from being rusty.
Reinstalling the Drawer
When reinstalling the drawer into the cabinet, it is important to line up the glides with the rails. Start by sliding the drawer back into the cabinet at an angle – this will help move the drawers back into place without putting too much force. Ensure that the release mechanisms are aligned correctly and depress them as necessary. Once lined up properly, the drawers should easily slide in and out. If the drawers do not fit, you may need to re-measure the space to make sure that they are the correct size.
Once the drawers are in place and the release mechanisms are engaged, you can test to ensure that they open and close properly. It may take a few attempts to get the drawers aligned correctly, and you should use caution to make sure that the drawers are correctly aligned. After the drawers are fitted properly and are operating correctly, replace any clips, screws or other securing mechanisms that hold the drawer in place.
Finally, you can once again plug in the filing cabinet and set it to the desired height. You should also test the drawer to make sure that it is properly secured and functioning correctly.
The entire process of removing and reinstalling drawers from filing cabinets is relatively straightforward, but a few simple steps should be taken to ensure the drawers are secured and that the filing cabinet continues to run properly. With these instructions, anyone should be able to safely and quickly remove and reinstall drawers on a filing cabinet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you take the drawers out of a filing cabinet?
1. Locate the drawer pulls on the outside of the filing cabinet.
2. Pull the drawer pulls slightly outward from the cabinet to unlock the drawer from the cabinet.
3. Depending on the type of filing cabinet you have, you will either be able to pull out the drawer fully, or you may need to slide the drawer forward slightly and then lift the drawer to remove it.
How do you remove drawers from metal lateral filing cabinets?
To remove drawers from a metal lateral filing cabinet, you will need to locate and unlock the tab locks located on the side of the drawers. Then you should be able to pull the drawer out slowly as the tab locks disengage. If the drawers have not been used for an extended period, you may need to use a lubricant, such as WD40, to help the parts move more freely.
Can you remove all the drawers from a filing cabinet?
Yes, you can remove all the drawers from a filing cabinet. Most drawer designs allow you to easily pop and pull out each drawer. However, if your filing cabinet is designed with a lock, you will need to unlock it first before you can remove the drawers.
How do you remove drawers that don’t come out?
If the drawer will not come out easily, it may be stuck due to paint or other impediments. To remove stuck drawers, you may need to apply force from the sides of the drawer, sliding the drawer slowly and evenly from side to side. If the drawer is still hung up on something, you may need to take the drawer apart, remove any debris that may be wedging the drawer, and then reassemble it before attempting to pull it out. In some cases, a bit of lubricant such as WD-40 can be used to loosen the drawer’s movement.
Conclusion
At the end, it’s important to note that removing drawers from a filing cabinet is a relatively easy job and one that most anyone can do with a little bit of patience and a close eye on the details. With the steps in this easy guide and the proper understanding of how to locate and pull the drawers out, it’s easy to quickly accomplish the task of removing drawers from a filing cabinet. Additionally, there may be special manufacturer instructions that should be followed to ensure the utmost safety and protection to your filing cabinet.
