How To Get Into A Locked Filing Cabinet with a Broken Lock – Warning, humor included:)
Having acquired a filing cabinet early on in my business with no lock on it (just a hole there), I never once considered or concerned myself that it would or could get locked with all the drawers shut tight! With some of my precious Thirty Seven West Custom Logo Ribbon and Custom Woven Labels customers’ files inside!
Oh my! One day the drawers simply would not open! I guess I had shut a door with a bit of gusto on a particularly energetic day 🙂 Yes, that was good energy!
We pondered what in the world to do!? I tried moving what appeared to be the lever for the lock with needle nose pliers. Up and down, sideways moving the pliers inside that little hole as big as a lock as many ways as I could dream up!
Finally! I decided to consult the Google gods 🙂 Now don’t get offended. I say that tongue in cheek. They do know just about everything, would you agree?
I Googled “How do I break into my file cabinet that the lock has fallen out of” … Here is what came up on the search on Reddit.com
“Depending upon the model, there’s a vertical latch on the right hand side. Find a strong shim that can fit between the door and the case, like a metal ruler, and insert it on the right hand side of the second door. Try to find the vertical bar, and lift it (there are catches on the side). Keep one hand on the handle for the door, and jiggle the release with your thumb while working the ruler on the right hand side.”
Imagine my delight, my relief when I heard and felt the sweet release of the drawer as it allowed me to open it! I have to admit, I was tempted to be melodramatic….in a fun way, of course!
https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/1hibrs/how_can_i_open_a_file_cabinet_that_has_had_its/
This alone was entertaining as I was enjoying a bit of humor in the midst of my dilemma. Some are crazy and I could even laugh and giggle and see someone really frustrated using the more aggressive methods. We had a good chuckle in the office. I really like to find humor in any situation possible. Actually this might be good material for a stand up comedian. Heck, I might even attempt to use it some time if I decide to go to toastmasters 🙂
Here ya go…..
I Googled “How do I break into my file cabinet that the lock has fallen out of”
Google interpretation based on search…..
How can I open a file cabinet that has had its lock destroyed? (self.lockpicking)
submitted by 3ricG
This is an image of the remnants of the locking mechanism: http://imgur.com/Xfysgoi
I know this isn’t lock picking per say, but I figured you all would be the best to know how these locks work. Currently, none of the drawers open, and I’m tasked with fixing it.
But damn, Yeah you gotta just destroy that thing.
Linda Bryan
[–]Thesteelwolf 8 points Like open heart surgery… With a brick. 🙂 (Actually I’ve talked to a few people after surgery recently…that is sorta how they feel…Like they have been hit with a brick)
[–]derpserf 3 points That is not a destroyed lock, that is a destroyed cabinet (or possibly an entire building). I also vote crowbar. No point using anything other than brute force and ignorance at this point to be honest.
If this doesn’t work, one other thing you can try is to tip the cabinet backwards as far as you can without it falling over, and then let it drop forward.
[–]3ricG[S] 1 point I was able to get it open by a metal shim between the right hand side of each door, like you said. I was also able to get a hold of the bar by inserting a long screwdriver in the giant hole where the lock was. Thanks!
For the curious, I already knew what was in the cabinet. It is just a bunch of files relating to licenses and logs for a college radio station (the location of the cabinet).[–][deleted] 1 point Woo hoo! Glad it worked out. 🙂