How to Remove Drawer from Metal File Cabinet

Removing a stuck or jammed drawer from a metal file cabinet can be a frustrating task. With some patience and the right techniques, you can get that stubborn drawer out in no time. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the entire process of removing any type of drawer from a metal file cabinet, using simple tools and methods.

Understanding File Cabinet Drawer Construction

Before attempting to remove a stuck drawer, it’s important to understand how file cabinet drawers are constructed.

Most metal file cabinets have a simple roller system that allows the drawers to slide in and out smoothly. The drawer rests on rails or tracks on either side. Wheels, bearings, or rollers on the drawer move along these tracks.

At the back of the drawer, a metal brace connects the two sides. This brace stabilizes the drawer and prevents it from tipping when extended. Locks or latches on the rails keep the drawer from accidentally pulling all the way out.

Knowing how the drawer is designed to function makes it easier to diagnose problems and remove stuck drawers.

Preparing to Remove the Drawer

Removing a stuck file cabinet drawer takes patience and the proper tools. Gather the following before getting started:

Phillips and flathead screwdrivers – Used for removing drawer locks, rails, and access panels. A set with multiple sizes is ideal.

Hammer – Helps tap parts loose or break up grime and corrosion. Use a regular claw hammer or small rubber mallet.

Penetrating oil – Loosens stuck, rusty screws and hardware. Apply it liberally on stuck components.

** lubricant** – Graphite powder or wax-based lubricant reduces friction on slide tracks.

Gloves – Protect your hands from sharp metal edges and improve your grip. Leather work gloves provide the best protection.

Rags – For cleaning up dirt, grease, and oil during the process. Paper towels or microfiber cloths work well.

Side cutters or Needle-nose pliers – Grips small parts like lock clips or pins that need removal.

Flashlight – Illuminates the back of the cabinet interior as you work. A headlamp frees up both hands.

Prepare the workspace by clearing other furniture or items away from the file cabinet. Spread a drop cloth or newspapers on the floor to catch grease drips or dirt. The file cabinet may need to be tipped on its back or side during disassembly.

Removing the File Cabinet Drawer Step-by-Step

With the right tools gathered, follow these steps to systematically remove a stuck drawer:

1. Empty the Drawer Contents

• Completely empty the stuck drawer of all files and contents. This lightens the drawer for easier removal.
• Set the files and papers aside carefully, maintaining any organization system.
• For privacy, shred any documents you don’t need before returning them to the drawer later.

2. Remove the Drawer Lock

• If the drawer has a central lock or locking bars, unlock and disengage them. This allows the drawer to move freely.
• To remove a central lock, unscrew the lock bolt or clip from the side of the drawer. Use a phillips screwdriver.
• For locking bars, unscrew the brackets or arms at the drawer sides to free the locking bars.
• If needed, use penetrating oil on stubborn locker hardware screws. Let it soak for 5-10 minutes before attempting to unscrew.

3. Pull Out the Drawer as Much as Possible

• With the locks removed, see if you can pull the drawer open fully. Sometimes that is all that is needed to get it unstuck.
• Try gently rocking the drawer side-to-side or up-and-down as you pull firmly on the drawer handle.
• If the drawer is stuck halfway or less, continue to the next steps.

4. Remove the Drawer Faceplate

• The front decorative panel (called the faceplate) needs to be removed next. This exposes the drawer slides and components.
• Unscrew and remove any small screws going through the metal facesplate into the drawer sides.
• Lift up the facesplate panel to disconnect it from the drawer. Set it aside carefully.

5. Lubricate the Drawer Slides

• With the drawer faceplate removed, and drawer extended halfway, lubricate the slide tracks and wheels.
• Use a graphite powder or wax stick lubricant. Spray liquid lubricants may drip down into the cabinet.
• Pull the drawer in and out several times to distribute the lubricant. Try removing the drawer fully again.

6. Loosen Stuck Slide Screws

• If the drawer side feels stuck in the slide tracks, loosen any screws attaching the drawer side to the slides.
• Use a phillips screwdriver and penetrate oil if the screws are stuck or rusty.
• Only loosen the screws 1-2 turns – they usually don’t need full removal.

7. Detach Slide Tracks

• If lubricating the slides and loosening stuck screws doesn’t free up the drawer, the slide tracks will need to be detached.
• At the rear of each cabinet side, look for access holes or panels. Remove any cover plates.
• Reach up through the access holes to unscrew the slide track brackets from the cabinet sides.
• The slides may detach from the drawer sides as well. Pull them free and set aside.

8. Remove Drawer Completely

• With the slide tracks detached, the drawer should now be free. Carefully pull it fully out of the file cabinet.
• Take care not to bend or tweak the drawer sides as you remove it. The rails may still be a tight fit.
• Set the drawer on a flat, sturdy surface for further cleaning and repair.

Cleaning and Removing Corrosion

Once removed from the cabinet, further disassembly of the drawer may be needed to fully clean and remove corrosion. Take the following additional steps as needed:

• Wipe away dirt, dust, grease or grime from the drawer sides and tracks using a rag.
• Use a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner for heavy soil buildup.
• Remove any rust or corrosion using steel wool, emery cloth, or a wire brush.
• Sand down scratches, nicks, or rough spots on the metal with fine grit sandpaper.
• If bearings, wheels or rollers are damaged, pry them off and replace them with new hardware.
• Bent or misaligned rails will need straightened or possibly replaced. Consult a metal fabrication shop.
• Lubricate all moving parts, pulleys, and casters with a dry graphite powder once cleaned.

Proper cleaning and removing corrosion ensures the drawer slides smoothly once reassembled.

Reassembling the Drawer

Once all necessary cleaning and repairs are complete, reassemble the drawer using the following steps:

• Slide the drawer sides back into the cabinet’s slide track channels if detached.
• Reattach the slide track brackets to the cabinet interior using the original screw holes.
• Tighten the slide track screws that were loosened earlier. Do not over tighten.
• Attach the drawer front facesplate panel back onto the drawer sides. Align it flush.
• Insert the original small screws through the faceplate and into the drawer sides.
• If present, reattach the original central lock or locking bars. Make sure they align and function properly.
• Push the fully reassembled drawer carefully back into the cabinet. It should slide smoothly on the repaired tracks.
• Remount all original drawer locks and sliding mechanisms like normal.
• Reload files and contents back into the newly repaired drawer and securely close it.

The drawer should now open and close freely. All original components should be firmly reattached. However, occasionally issues persist after reassembly. If the drawer still sticks or drags, further adjustment may be needed.

Troubleshooting Sticking Drawers After Reassembly

If a file cabinet drawer continues sticking after the rails and slides have been cleaned, lubricated and reassembled, fine tune adjustments can fix it. Try the following troubleshooting tips:

• Loosen slide track screws slightly ifVideos drawer shifts or skews to one side.
• Bend bent drawer braces back into shape if the drawer shifts downward in slides.
• File down burrs or rough edges if drawers catch at same spot every time.
• Adjust rocks, screws, or shims under cabinet if it doesn’t sit level on the floor.
• Tighten any loose caster wheels or support legs under cabinet.
• Replace overly worn rollers, pulley wheels, or plastic bearings.

Sometimes inserting pennies or plastic shims as spacers between the drawer sides and slide tracks can help adjust alignment and prevent sticking if other methods fail. Overall, having patience and using the proper tools while methodically adjusting components leads to smooth sliding drawers.

Preventing Future Drawer Sticking

To prevent drawers from frequently sticking and having to repeat removal and repair, employ these best practices:

• Use drawer liners inside file cabinet drawers to reduce friction and rubbing.
• Clean dirt, dust, and grime off slides and wheels regularly using a vacuum and cloth.
• Periodically lubricate contact points, bearings, and casters with a dry wax lubricant.
• Open and close drawers regularly to keep components moving freely.
• Avoid overloading drawers which puts strain on the sliding mechanisms.
• Consider replacing thin metal slide tracks with heavy duty, full extension, ball bearing slides.
• Install high quality felt or nylon drawer liners inside cabinet and drawers.

Keeping dirt out, components lubricated, and avoiding overloading prevents wear and sticking issues over time. Quality components also increase performance and reduce removals.

When to Call a Professional

While the cabinet drawers can usually be removed successfully with basic tools and patience, sometimes it is best to call in a professional. Seek professional help in the following situations:

• You can’t detach seized slide tracks after lubricating and loosening all screws.
• Drawer rollers or wheels split or have extensive rust damage.
• File cabinet structure is bent or warped, preventing proper drawer alignment.
• Central lock or latching mechanisms require specialty picking tools or key codes.
• Cabinet contains sensitive materials needing specially certified disposal or destruction.

Professionals have commercial grade tools, heavy duty lubricants, and expertise to quickly remove hopelessly stuck drawers and diagnose underlying damage. Proper drawer function is restored without risk of compromising sensitive contents.

FAQ About Removing File Cabinet Drawers

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about removing stuck drawers from metal file cabinets:

How do I get a drawer unstuck without taking apart the cabinet?

Try lubricating the slides, loosening any side screws, and gently but firmly pulling the drawer all the way open. Removing locks and facesplates also allows more access. Only disassemble components if lubrication fails to loosen the stuck drawer.

What is the best lubricant to use?

A dry wax or graphite powder works best. Avoid liquid sprays that can drip and stain. Apply lubricant to slide channels, wheels, pulleys and joints.

Can I leave one drawer slides detached?

It’s not recommended. The cabinet may become unstable and drawers misaligned if just one slide is left unattached. Fully reinstall all slide tracks even if replacing a damaged drawer.

My file folder hangers catch on the slides – help!

Consider installing drawer liners or felt tape on the slide channels. Folders might need trimmed if excessively long. Or replace standard slides with full extension roll-out models to increase clearance.

How can I get broken bolts and screws out?

Use pliers to grip and twist out the broken shaft. For stripped screws, use a rubber band between the screwdriver and screw head to get better grip. Worst case, drill out completely and re-tap new threads.

Why does my drawer drop down when pulled out?

There are vertical braces along the drawer back that may be bent inward or disconnected. Straighten any bent braces. Make sure the L-brackets are tight.

Should I replace or repair damaged slides?

Repairing slides is possible by straightening or lubricating. But for smooth performance, consider new heavy duty replacement slide tracks and rollers.

In Conclusion

Removing stuck drawers from metal filing cabinets can be a challenging but doable DIY project. The key is having the right tools on hand, methodically removing components, thoroughly cleaning and lubricating parts, and proper reassembly. Patience and gently working rusted or stuck hardware loose is critical to avoid breakage. While professionals can be called in for difficult removals, many stuck drawers can be freed up with some penetrating oil, elbow grease, and persistence. Keeping the rails lubricated and avoiding overloading after repair helps prevent the issue from recurring.