Is your steelcase file cabinet drawer stuck? I can feel your pain. My interlocked drawers got stuck a while back, and it was horrible.
I had no idea how to fix it. I looked for the ways everywhere and found absolutely nothing. So, I had to go to the professionals, and it cost me a lot.
Do you want to know how to fix Steelcase file cabinet drawer interlock mechanism? No worries. I‘ve got you. These are the things I learned from my experience, and I am sharing these with you so you don’t need to spend as much money as I did.
Here is what to do-
Assess the drawers to find out what is wrong. Realign the drawers. Clean the drawers and inspect the interlock mechanism to find any signs of damage. Repair it according to the issues. After each step, make sure to test the drawers to see if it is fixed and adjust if not.
Wait! It is not everything of the steelcase file cabinet drawer interlock mechanism. Do you truly want to learn about it? Then, what are you waiting for? Let’s move toward the main content.
Table of Contents
Some main facts-
An overview of the project-
| Estimated Cost | Estimated Duration | Skill Level |
| $50 | 5 hours | Beginner |
The Function Of The Drawer Interlock Mechanism
Before getting to how to fix filing cabinet drawer, let me ask you one thing. What is the drawer interlock mechanism?
The drawer interlock mechanism is a drawer lock designed to prevent opening more than one drawer at the same time.
It is mostly found in storage units and file cabinets to provide security and operational efficiency.
The interlock mechanism consists of an interlocking system, mechanical parts, and some safety features.
The purpose of the interlock system is to provide drawer movement sequencing control and security for the contents of the file cabinet.
When the cabinet drawers are in the locked position, the interlock system stops the adjacent drawers from opening at the same time and ensures that a single drawer can be accessed at a time.
The mechanical parts are the drawer body barbs, such as locking bars and laches.
When the cabinet drawers are in the locked position, these parts make sure that the adjacent drawers remain in a closed position. The safety features are to ensure user safety.
The cam surface, actuator portion, and drawer suspension used in the file drawer interlock mechanism are to provide smooth and secured operations.
One of the benefits is that if you are tired of fixing a dog-chewed corner of a cabinet, these cabinets are perfect for you as they can’t chew them.
Steelcase File Cabinet Drawer Interlock Mechanism
You are facing problems with Steelcase file cabinet drawer removal. But do you know what a steelcase file cabinet drawer interlock mechanism actually is?
No need to panic. It’s completely fine not to know. Let me tell you.
The Steelcase file cabinet drawer interlock mechanism is an interlock system manufactured by Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase Inc. is one of the leading-edge manufacturers of furniture and one of their signature products is the cabinet drawer interlock mechanism locks.
The Steelcase Inc. drawers interlock mechanism has a lot of benefits, such as:
Now, if you face problems like a filing cabinet anti tilt mechanism stuck, you know where to seek help.
How To Know If The File Cabinet Has An Interlock Mechanism?
You know the answers to ‘How do file cabinet locks work?’. Let me ask you one more question. How do you know the file cabinet has an interlock mechanism?
Well, there are some ways to know that. What are these? Let me tell you:
Inspect The Drawer
Check the drawer carefully, and look for visual clues that indicate the mechanism is an interlock system.
Inspect the locking bars on the drawer sliders. The interlocking system looks visibly different from the other locks. The drawer configurations are also different for the interlock mechanism.
The drawers are different-sized drawers and storage elements compared to other cabinet drawers. It is because these are made to store lateral files, mostly used for legal analysis.
So, you will be able to recognize if that is an interlocking system or not, even if the cabinet drawers are in an unlocked position.
Test The Drawer Mechanism
To test if the drawer has an interlock mechanism or not, try to open the drawers at the same time.
For example, open the lowermost drawer and try to open the drawer right above it. Check for other reasons that are preventing it from opening.
If there aren’t any and the drawers open smoothly when opened one at a time, it is the interlocking mechanism.
Check Manufacturer’s Guide
Every locking system comes with a manufacturer’s guide. If it is an interlocking system, you will be able to understand it by looking at the manufacturer’s guide.
For example, if you take a look at the Steelcase file cabinet drawer interlock mechanism manual, there will be configurations mentioned that indicate that it is an interlock mechanism.
Ask Professionals
After all of these, if you still feel unsure of whether it is an interlock system or not, seek assistance from the professionals.
They will help you with the right information.
I hope, now you will be able to identify whether it is a file cabinet drawer locking mechanism or not. Also, if you have recently installed LVP under cabinets, be careful not to crush the floor, as these cabinets are quite heavy
Steps To Fix If Interlock Gets Stuck
If you are facing problems like filing cabinet drawer won’t close all the way or the drawers get stuck, these are the ways to fix it;
Primary Inspection
Carefully, inspect the interlock mechanism and try to identify what is the issue. Is the interlock system stuck, jammed, misaligned, or blocked?
Try to know the exact problem, as it will help to fix the problem.
Check the mechanical parts of the mechanism, too. Are the locking bar or latches stuck, jammed, misaligned, or blocked?
Look for any visible signs that might indicate the specific problem.
Disassemble The Drawers
If you can’t find any visible problems, you may need to disassemble the drawer to know what the actual problem is.
Be extremely careful while disassembling the file drawers. If something wrong happens, it might affect the entire mechanism.
If this is your first time doing it, I would suggest following the Steelcase file cabinet drawer interlock mechanism diagram.
If you still feel unsure, contact a professional for assistance.
Cleaning The Drawer
Are you having problems with the file cabinet drawer release?
Sometimes, the drawers get stuck because of the dust, dirt, or debris stuck in the sliders or other parts of the drawers. It creates a hurdle for the drawers to open smoothly.
So, brush the drawers to remove the dust, dirt, or debris. If this was the actual problem, you should be able to open the drawers now.
If your cabinet is slightly broken in any part, it is your time to fix the broken cabinet.
Reassemble And Adjust
After you are done cleaning and inspecting the cabinet drawers and the interlock mechanism, it’s time to reassemble the cabinet drawers.
Follow the proper steps according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Make sure the drawers are perfectly aligned. If not, readjust them until they are aligned.
Even slight misalignment can affect the smooth operations of the drawer. So, be very careful.
If your cabinet was racked or wobbly before, it is your chance to fix the racked cabinet or fix the wobbly cabinet, depending on what you need.
Test If It Works
After performing each of these steps, test if it is fixed or not to confirm that the issue is fixed. This way, you will also be able to know what the problem is.
If you can’t fix the problem after all these steps, you must seek assistance from the professionals.
They will fix the problem for you and also give you a proper explanation of the problem which might help you later.
How do you change the lock on a Steelcase file cabinet? For this, you will have to contact Steelcase Inc. and ask them to help you.
What Should I Do If Drawers Are Not Interlocking Properly?
Is your filing cabinet drawer stuck open? Aren’t the drawers interlocking the way they should be?
Are you tense about the security of your important documents? Don’t worry. Here are the ways to fix it.
Assess The Drawers
Check all the drawers to find the signs such as loose drawers, uneven drawers, misaligned drawers, difficulty in closing, etc.
Realign The Drawers
Misalignment can be a major cause of why your drawers are not interlocking properly. So, before moving to any of the other things, realign and adjust the drawers.
After realigning the drawers, check to see if the problems are fixed or not. This is to confirm that the issue was misaligned and that it is fixed.
Inspect The Mechanism
Before inspecting the mechanism. I suggest cleaning all the cabinet drawers.
Removing the dirt, dust, and debris will make it easier and provide smooth opening and closing operations.
Check the interlock mechanism thoroughly and look for any signs of damage, wear, or blockage.
Repair If Needed
If you find any damage in the interlock system through the previous steps, this is the step to repair them all.
Make sure to contact and seek professional help if you face any difficulty.
Test And Adjust
After each step or repair, try to open multiple drawers at a time. It is to check if the drawers are fixed or not.
You should be able to fix the interlocking problems after performing these steps. In case you are still facing problems, make sure to seek help from the professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Are The Three Types Of Interlocking Mechanisms?
The three types of interlocking mechanisms are mechanical, electrical, and logical.
Can I Override The Interlock Mechanism For Authorized Access?
You can’t override the interlock mechanism unless it is broken or damaged.
What Should I Do If Drawers Are Not Interlocking Properly?
Assess the drawers properly for signs of damage. Realign the drawers and inspect the mechanism. If you find any damage, fix and test them to see if the drawers are interlocking properly or not.
Can I Upgrade The Interlock System In Older Steelcase File Cabinets?
To get accurate guidance, I suggest contacting Steelcase Inc. directly. Only they can give you a proper answer.
Conclusion
How to fix Steelcase file cabinet drawer interlock mechanism? The steps are pretty easy.
You need to run a primary inspection on the entire cabinet and the cabinet drawers. If you feel the drawers aren’t aligned properly, realign them.
Then, clean and thoroughly inspect the cabinet for any damage that might be messing with the mechanism.
Repair the damages. Test and adjust until it is completely fixed. That’s it!
Now, you will be able to fix your file cabinet interlock mechanism whenever there is a problem.
If you are interested in learning more about restoring a table, stay with- Restore Journey.
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