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Cannot open Steelcase filing cabinet. I have the key, but the drawers won't open. I am including a gallery of images and thorough description of problem. I would really appreciate your help! (x-post /r/fixit)
Drill it out replacement locks for these are cheap
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SOLVED - UPDATE BELOW
Hello, folks! Here are images and a description of my problem. I would really, really appreciate your help or any insight into this matter!
Thank you!!!
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http://imgur.com/uy7Hzhn - This is my filing cabinet. Based on the lock number, I believe it to be made by Steelcase. I was always able to open all of the drawers with no problem. However, I recently moved. I believe that during the move, something happened to this filing cabinet that made it so the drawers won't open. As you can see, I have the key. It turns just fine. I'm not sure the locking mechanism is at fault here. I suspect the drawers won't open because of the anti-tipping mechanism is busted - or perhaps because the anti-tipping mechanism is busted and some piece has gotten stuck or in the way of my drawers opening. Though I am open to the possibility that the locking mechanism is engaged somehow and turning the key no longer disengages it. They key turns very easily. I have tried just about everything to open these drawers - I have pounded on them. I have tried to make sure that they are very tightly closed and then trying to open each one individually. I have turned the unit on its sides and upside down. I have shaken the filing cabinet. Nothing works. Yes, I have done all of these things and turned the key as well - I cannot get any of the drawers to open. The photos below will show you something interesting that I've noticed about the inner workings of what I believe is called the anti-tipping mechanism/device.
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http://imgur.com/8XxkWvq - If I peer between the top drawer and the second (middle) drawer, I see this at the back left corner. Note that black thing left of center. It is a strap that is torn. I don't know if this is what's keeping my drawers closed, but it's the only thing I can see on this filing cabinet - on the inside or outside that appears to be out of the ordinary. Here is a video which has a variant of this anti-tip mechanism. The mechanism in the video is at the front left, mine is at the back left. I believe the intact strap is what keeps the drawers from opening. If that's the case, why won't my drawers open with the strap broken? I have flicked that white plastic part with a stiff wire to change its position and the drawers have not opened. I think there might also be other factors at play which are totally hidden from me.
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http://imgur.com/w5hGRaj - Peering between the middle drawer and the bottom drawer. Here is another view of that broken strap.
The same images and descriptions but in Imgur gallery form: http://imgur.com/a/8LV5M
UPDATE
Solved!! I added new photos to the gallery
I don't know how I didn't do this before, but with a bent wire hanger, I pushed on this black lever (I believe the strap is normally attached to this) and pulled on a drawer at the same time. Voila!!
I've pushed on this thing before, but I was always trying to pull it or move it or something, but I guess I never thought of pushing it back and pulling on a drawer at the same time. It was really, really loose so I didn't think it would actually lead to anything.
I hope this helps someone open their stuck cabinet one day!
Drill it out replacement locks for these are cheap
I am not sure if the strap is your issue or only issue. Usually there is a rod that rides up and down at the back corner of the cabinet and is engaged or disengaged by the lock through a simple cam like action. If it slipped off the mechanism, or came free it may be stuck in the locked position. Have no clue, however, how you might go about fixing it. I would try one thing though--stand the cabinet on its head and see if you can move the drawer. If the rod is free and came disengaged it might slide into an open position. Worth a try.