Introduction
Lateral file cabinets with metal drawers are a staple in many offices and home offices. The durable steel construction makes them ideal for storing important documents and supplies. However, over time the drawers can become stiff and difficult to open and close properly. When this happens, it’s time to remove the troublesome drawers and restore smooth operation.
Removing drawers from metal lateral file cabinets, especially HON brand cabinets, is a straightforward process that can be easily accomplished with some simple tools and mechanical ability. With proper technique, the drawers can be detached without damaging the rails or cabinet body. This allows full access to lubricate and adjust the slides for buttery smooth motion.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the full step-by-step process to expertly remove stubborn HON file cabinet drawers. We’ll cover the basics of file cabinet anatomy, the tools you’ll need, tips for troubleshooting stuck drawers, safety precautions, and techniques for detaching the drawer body. Reinstalling the refreshed drawers is also detailed to get your cabinet functioning like new again.
Follow along as we demystify the video how to remove hon drawers from lateral metal steel file office cabinets process and turn a painful stuck drawer dilemma into a simple DIY repair. With the right approach and our guidance, you’ll be working in filing cabinet bliss once more.
Overview of File Cabinet Drawer Anatomy
Before diving into the drawer removal process, it helps to understand the basic components that allow a file cabinet drawer to slide in and out on its rails. While specifics vary slightly between manufacturers, the basic anatomy is similar for most lateral file cabinets.
Key elements include:
- Slider: The slider is a rectangular steel brace that attaches to the drawer and holds rollers that move along the rail. There are two sliders per drawer, one on each side.
- Rail: The rail is the fixed track that the slider rollers move along to guide the drawer. Rails are attached horizontally to the cabinet body.
- Roller wheels: Low-friction nylon wheels mounted on the slider to smoothly roll along the rail. Drawers have 2-4 rollers per side typically.
- Slide stop: A small plastic or metal tab that prevents the drawer from detaching fully from the cabinet body when pulled out. It allows the drawer to slide open but not release from the rails.
- Mounting braces: Steel L-brackets that anchor the drawer body to the sliders, allowing the entire drawer to slide in and out as one unit.
Understanding how these parts interconnect and move on the slides is essential for smoothly removing and reinstalling drawers during repair or maintenance work.
Necessary Tools
Removing file cabinet drawers requires only a few basic tools:
- Flathead screwdriver – for removing drawer slide screws and prying off caps/clips
- Phillips screwdriver – for removing mounting brace screws
- Hammer – optionally, for tapping components to dislodge slide rails
- Flashlight – for peering into the dark cabinet interior
- Gloves – for protecting hands from sharp metal edges
- Lubricant – for re-lubricating the slide rails during reinstallation
That’s all you need tool-wise for DIY filing cabinet drawer removal. Having these items on hand before getting started with the process ensures things go smoothly.
Safety Tips
When taking on any repair project, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Follow these tips when removing and reinstalling file cabinet drawers:
- Wear gloves to avoid cuts from sharp metal edges. Sliders and rails can have burrs.
- Use eye protection if hammering to dislodge stuck components. Metal fragments could fly.
- Mind your knuckles when reaching into the drawer space. Jarring collisions hurt!
- Get help lifting heavy full-width filing cabinets and maneuvering them during the repair. Don’t risk injury.
- Use proper lifting technique, bending at the knees when handling bulky drawers.
- Work slowly and carefully on steps involving electrical disconnection.
- Take pictures during disassembly for reference when putting components back together.
With some common sense precautions, you can safely detach your troublesome filing cabinet drawers for repair. Now let’s go through the full process step-by-step.
Step-by-Step Drawer Removal Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to expertly detach the drawer body from the slide rails in a metal lateral file cabinet:
1. Empty the Drawer
Start by removing all contents from the stuck drawer you want to detach. This lightens the load for easier handling during removal. Place items in an adjacent drawer temporarily.
2. Pull Out the Drawer
Extend the drawer fully from the cabinet. If it’s stuck closed, see the next section for tips on freeing a stubborn drawer before proceeding.
With the drawer extended, you’ll have access to the slide components.
3. Remove Side Covers
Look inside the extended drawer body for thin metal side covers running front to back. Carefully pry these off to expose the slider. Repeat on both sides.
4. Detach the Slide Stop
Locate the small plastic or metal tab near the cabinet opening that prevents the drawer from detaching. Remove any screw or clip securing this slide stop and set it aside. This will allow the drawer to release fully.
5. Disconnect Sliders
Look for screws attaching the long rectangular sliders to the interior drawer sides. Remove these screws (usually two per side) with a screwdriver to detach the sliders from the drawer.
6. Release Mounting Braces
Find the L-shaped metal mounting braces along the drawer bottom that anchor it to the sliders. Remove any screws securing these braces. The drawer should now separate freely from the slides.
7. Slide Out the Drawer
With all screws removed, slowly pull the drawer body forward, keeping it level to avoid tipping. The detached drawer should slide out, leaving the rails fixed to the cabinet interior.
8. Repeat on Other Drawers
If multiple drawers need removal, repeat the process starting by emptying the next stuck drawer and working through each step.
With the drawer bodies detached, you can now service the slide rails and remount the drawers.
Tips for Freeing Stuck Drawers
Sometimes a filing cabinet drawer will become so sticky that it refuses to open normally. Here are some tips for freeing a stubborn drawer before starting the removal process:
- Lubricate sticking points – Try lubricating any rough spots on the rails with a light oil or silicone spray. Let it penetrate then try slowly sliding the drawer open.
- Loosen mounting braces – Slightly loosen the screws on the L-brackets securing the drawer. This provides some wiggle room to jar it loose.
- Use a drawer handle – Attach a handle and gently rock the drawer side-to-side while pulling firmly but carefully straight outward.
- Tap rails with a hammer – With the drawer extended, gently tap the rails with a rubber mallet or hammer. The vibration can help jostle it unstuck.
- Wedge shims underneath – As a last resort, place thin shims under the drawer to slightly lift and dislodge it from the sticky rails. Remove shims before fully extending.
With some patience and creativity, you can usually get a stuck drawer freed up enough to removable for repair. Getting it unstuck is half the battle.
Reinstalling Drawers After Service
Once you’ve detached the stubborn drawers, cleaned the rails, and addressed any issues, it’s time to put the drawer bodies back in service. Follow these steps for smooth reinstallation:
- Check that rails are clean, lubed, and aligned properly side-to-side. Address any remaining sticking points with lubricant or adjustment.
- Situate the drawer body in the cabinet opening and slide it gently onto the rails, keeping it level.
- Reattach the mounting braces with their screws to anchor the drawer onto the sliders at the proper height.
- Replace any slide stops you removed earlier to keep the drawer captive in the cabinet.
- Reattach the sliders to the drawer sides with their mounting screws. Ensure full engagement with the rails.
- Replace the thin metal side covers.
- Test that the drawer now slides smoothly without friction or detachment issues. Make any necessary adjustments.
- Reload the drawer’s contents.
With renewed, lubricated slide rails and realigned drawers, your filing cabinet should once again offer years of hassle-free service. Just repeat this removal process if drawers ever need servicing again down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about removing drawers from metal lateral file cabinets:
How do I detach drawers that have locking mechanisms?
Most lateral file cabinets with locks have a central locking bar that connects the drawers. Remove any screws securing the locking bar and slide it out of the drawers to release them individually before removal.
What if my drawer slides are riveted instead of screwed?
You may need to drill out any rivets securing the sliders instead of removing screws. Use a drill bit slightly larger than the rivet shaft.
Should I replace old drawer slides?
If slides are worn out or damaged, it’s a good idea to replace them with new components. Check rails and rollers for excessive play or binding and replace any deteriorated parts.
How can I remove a bent drawer that won’t slide straight?
Bent drawers may need to be pried and wiggled out. Protect the flooring and slowly work it free from the cabinet. Shim as needed to lift and straighten.
My drawer slides out but won’t close – what’s wrong?
If a drawer closes partially then springs back open, the slide stop is likely misaligned or broken. Remove it and realign or replace so the drawer stays closed.
How do I align the drawer height if it sits unevenly?
Loosen the mounting braces and reposition them slightly up or down as needed to level and align the drawer front.
Conclusion
Knowing how to remove stuck drawers from lateral filing cabinets is an invaluable skill for any office admin or home office owner. Thankfully the process is quite straightforward on most metal models with the proper tools and techniques.
By methodically detaching the sliders, braces, and stops, the stubborn drawer can be freed from its rails for much needed cleaning and lubrication. Proper reinstallation ensures smooth, unhindered motion once again. With our detailed video how to remove hon drawers from lateral metal steel file office cabinets guide, you now have the knowledge to expertly handle this DIY filing cabinet repair project.