How to Put Wheels on a Metal File Cabinet

Adding wheels to a metal file cabinet can make it much easier to move around and access your files. With a few simple tools and materials, you can install casters or wheels onto the bottom of most standard file cabinets. This will allow you to roll the cabinet between rooms or across the office with minimal effort. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to put wheels on a metal file cabinet.

Choosing the Right Wheels for Your File Cabinet

The first step is selecting the right type of wheels or casters for your specific file cabinet. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Weight capacity – Choose wheels that are rated to handle at least 20-50 lbs more than the total weight of the cabinet plus contents. Standard file cabinets can weigh 80-150 lbs.
• Wheel size – Larger wheels (3-5 inches) roll over surfaces easier while small wheels (1-2 inches) fit into tighter spaces. Measure the clearance under your cabinet.
• Wheel material – Nylon and rubber wheels work best on hard surfaces like wood or tile. Polyurethane wheels are ideal for carpets.
• Locking wheels – Consider 2 locking wheels to keep the cabinet in place while in use. Locks prevent accidental rolling.
• Swivel vs non swivel – Swivel wheels maneuver easily by spinning 360 degrees. Non swivel wheels only roll forwards and backwards in a straight line.

For most standard metal file cabinets, 3″ or 4″ rubber wheeled casters with ball bearings are recommended. Nylon and polyurethane wheels also work well. Having 2 casters lock provides stability.

Gathering Your Tools and Supplies

Installing wheels on a file cabinet is a relatively easy DIY project. Here is a list of everything you will need:

Tools

• Power drill with Phillips head bit
• Wrench set
• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Tape measure

Supplies

• Caster wheels (4 per cabinet)
• 1/4 inch drill bit
• Wood screws or bolts
• Washers
• Lock washers
• Nuts (if bolting casters)

Make sure you have the necessary tools and supplies before starting the wheel installation process.

Safely Lifting and Flipping the File Cabinet

The cabinet will need to be turned upside down to install the casters on the bottom.

Follow these safe lifting techniques:

• Completely empty the cabinet of all contents
• Have 2 people work together to lift and flip the cabinet
• Bend knees and keep back straight while lifting
• Tilt cabinet back slowly to rest on side or back edge
• Rotate and flip carefully until fully upside down
• Never tilt the cabinet towards yourself while lifting

Use care when flipping the file cabinet to avoid injury or damage.

Marking the Mounting Holes

With the empty cabinet upside down, you can now mark where to drill the caster wheel mounting holes.

Follow these steps:

• Place the casters along one side of the bottom of the cabinet. Position the casters equal distance apart.
• Make sure the casters sit flat against the bottom and lineup square with the cabinet edges.
• Use a pencil or marker to outline the mounting plate screw holes of each caster. Also mark the center of each hole.
• Remove the casters and double check all markings for accuracy.

Marking the holes precisely before drilling is crucial for proper caster installation.

Drilling the Holes

Take your time while drilling the caster wheel holes into the bottom of the metal file cabinet:

• Use a 1/4 inch drill bit to match most wheel mounting screws
• Put on safety glasses before drilling
• Drill slowly through the cabinet bottom at each marked hole center
• Keep the drill bit perpendicular to the surface while drilling
• Drill straight down about 1-2 inches deep or to fit the screws
• Drill through just the bottom panel, not the sides or back
• Clean up any metal shavings when finished

Slow speed and a steady hand while drilling prevents screws from stripping later.

Installing the Casters

With the holes drilled, you can now bolt or screw on your casters:

• Insert screws or bolts through wheel plate and cabinet bottom at each hole
• Use washers beneath the caster plate and on underside of cabinet
• For bolts, add lock washers and nuts underneath to secure
• For wood screws, drill into underside of cabinet to fasten
• Use wrench to tighten hardware so wheels sit snuggly
• Do not over tighten or strip the bolts/screws
• Test that each caster can roll freely without wobbling

Take care not to overtighten the screws or bolts when attaching the casters.

Flipping the Cabinet Right-Side Up

Once all the wheels are securely installed:

• Have a partner help flip the cabinet back onto its legs
• Lift slowly with legs and avoid tilting backwards
• Check wheels engage floor and cabinet stands upright
• Reinstall drawers and add weight gradually
• Lock wheels to keep cabinet in place while loading files

Be sure to use proper lifting methods when flipping the file cabinet back over to avoid injury.

Rolling the File Cabinet Around

Your metal file cabinet should now roll smoothly on its new wheels across hard and carpeted floors.

Here are some tips for rolling around your wheeled file cabinet:

• Make sure surface is flat and free of objects
• Unlock wheels before pushing slowly in the desired direction
• Walk behind and guide cabinet; do not pull from front
• Stop gently against walls or obstructions
• Apply even pressure on both sides when turning
• Lock wheels in place if leaving the cabinet stationary

Take it slow when rolling a heavy file cabinet to prevent tipping. Enjoy the increased mobility!

Troubleshooting Guide

If you encounter any issues after installing casters, try the following fixes:

Wheels wobble – Tighten mounting hardware or use larger washers

Casters fall off – Use longer screws/bolts or reinforce underside holes

Cabinet slips or drags – Clean wheels and replace if excessively worn

Difficulty rolling – Check surface for debris or uneven areas

Rolls crooked – Verify all wheels touch floor equally

Loose hardware – Tighten nuts/bolts/screws fully and check for stripping

Inspect your casters regularly for signs of wear and replace as needed. Properly installed wheels should provide years of smooth and quiet rolling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Putting Wheels on File Cabinets

Installing casters on a metal filing cabinet is a straightforward project. Here are answers to some common questions:

How many wheels should I install?

Most filing cabinets require 4 caster wheels, one attached at each corner of the bottom panel. Using just 2 wheels can make the cabinet unsteady.

What tools do I need?

A basic toolkit with a power drill, screw bits, wrenches, hammer, and pliers is all that is required. A 1/4 inch drill bit matching the wheel screws is essential.

What is the best way to lift the cabinet?

Empty the file cabinet and have 2 people work together to safely tilt, flip, and rotate the cabinet for wheel installation. Proper lifting techniques prevent injury.

Should I bolt or screw on the wheels?

Smaller casters can be screwed into underside wood panels. Bolting gives more strength needed for heavy cabinets and metal bottoms.

How do I stop the cabinet rolling around?

Install 2 casters with locking brakes to keep the file cabinet securely in place while in use. Simply rolling against a wall stops movement as well.

Do the wheels work on any type of flooring?

Wheels designed for hard floors or carpeting will roll smoothly on those surfaces. Rubber wheels grip best on tile and wood floors.

Adding wheels makes opening filing drawers, storing records, and relocating metal file cabinets much easier. Follow the steps above to install casters and enjoy the benefits of an instantly mobile storage solution.

Conclusion

Installing casters or wheels on the bottom of a metal file cabinet is an inexpensive and straightforward way to make the furniture more mobile. With proper tools and materials, you can mount durable casters on the underside corners of most standard filing cabinets. Just be sure to select wheels sturdy enough for the total weight, measure and drill holes precisely, use quality hardware, and lift the cabinet safely. Wheeled file cabinets glide effortlessly across hard and carpeted floors, allowing you to access records and reposition the furniture with ease. Keep these how-to tips in mind next time you want to put wheels on a metal file cabinet.