File cabinets are furniture usually installed in the office. It protects your important files against theft and damage. But locks are important with the cabinets. If you are confused about the exact working of it then here is a complete step by step guide to understanding how to do file cabinet locks work.
Working Of File Cabinet Lock
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Tumbler is present in every file cabinet. And it works in the same way as a door lock. When the key is inserted into the file cabinet. The tumbler is pushed by the teeth. And it’s jabbed in the proper position. This mechanism unlocks the lock. If the right key is used. The closing of the lock works in a similar way.
1. Working Of A Lock Bar
There is a round bolt present in the file cabinet locks. It is small in size and is connected to the lock. A small knob is present. It is near the lower end of the key and is attached to the tumbler. When you rotate the key to the left the knob raises in the lock position. It locks the cabinet.
The small bolt is squeezing up from the body of the file cabinet. You cannot open the cabinet now. It is locked properly. Now you can unlock it in a similar way. When you insert the key on the door lock. And rotate it to the right.
The knob lowers in the open position. The small bolt is no longer blocking the file cabinet. Now you can easily open the cabinet.
2. Working On A Cam File Cabinet Lock
Cam locks are simple locks. And contain a metal plate called a cam. The cam is connected to the middle of the lock. When a key is inserted. The cam rotates to a full 180°. And locks and unlocks the drawer. Cam file cabinet locks are of three types.
The first is a flat key cam lock. You can easily unlock this lock with a key. The key of the flat key cam lock is shaped like a normal key. The second is the tubular cam lock. It works in a similar way as the flat key cam lock. But the shape of the key of the tubular cam lock is like a circular rod.
There is also a combo cam lock. This lock opens with a code. This lock is better than the other two because you do not need a key to open it. It opens and closes with the help of a tongue bar. When you enter the key and spin it. The tongue bar unlocks the door when you rotate the key.
When the tongue bar moves vertically upwards the cabinet is unlocked. The cabinet closes when the tongue bar moves sideways. Cam locks are easy to use as they do not need a special mechanism for their functioning.
3. Working Of Electronic Cabinet Locks
These locks work with the help of a code. You can select a code with which you can open the lock. This lock is particularly good for people who lose their key a lot.
As you don’t need a key to open this lock. These are also more secure than the locks that open with a key. As you will be the only one to know the code that opens the cabinet.
4. Working Of A Padlock
There are various parts of a padlock. There is a shackle, cylinder, driver pins, and springs. The various pins and springs are for their functioning. When the lock is closed the shackle is hooked to the cylinder. It doesn’t allow the lock to open.
The pins are in a downward position. When a key is inserted in the cylinder of the lock. The teeth of the key align with the pin. And push the pins upward. Now when the key is rotated. The pins move the driver pins. These driver pins move the shackle.
And the shackle is no longer hooked to the cylinder. When you pull the shackle outwards it opens. The lock is no longer closed. You can now easily open the lock.
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How do File Hon Cabinet Locks work?
HON file cabinets work by using a cam lock. Cam locks are simple locks. And contain a metal plate called a cam. The cam is connected to the middle of the lock.
When a key is inserted. The cam rotates to a full 180°. And locks and unlocks the drawer. Cam file cabinet locks are of three types.
The first is a flat key cam lock. You can easily unlock this lock with a key. The key of the flat key cam lock is shaped like a normal key.
The second is tubular cam lock. It works in a similar way as the flat key cam lock. But the shape of the key of the tubular cam lock is like a circular rod.
There is also a combo cam lock. This lock opens with a code. This lock is better than the other two because you do not need a key to open it. It opens and closes with the help of a tongue bar. When you enter the key and spin it. The tongue bar unlocks the door when you rotate the key.
When the tongue bar moves vertically upwards the cabinet is unlocked. The cabinet closes when the tongue bar moves sideways. Cam locks are easy to use as they do not need a special mechanism for their functioning.
What Kind Of Locks Are On Filing Cabinets?
The most commonly used locks on filing cabinets are locking bars. However, you can also use padlocks, cam file cabinet locks, and tubular cylinder locks. The default locks that are installed on the locks are not much secure. You can replace them with other secure locks.
How Secure Are File Cabinet Locks?
The file cabinet locks that come with the cabinet are not much secure. However, you can replace these with high-quality locks for better protection.
The locks that are installed on the cabinets by the manufacturers are of low quality. They can be handpicked easily.
Most of the default locks have similar kinds of combinations. They can be opened with similar kinds of keys. They are not as secure as standard locks. The keys of these locks can be easily made. If someone wants to make a copy of your key it’s very easy to do so.
These locks have a specific key code that can be easily copied. Also, these locks are not strong. They can break if too much force is applied to them. You can get the best keyless magnetic cabinet lock to prevent pick-ins.
If you want to make your file cabinets really secure you should replace the default locks. And install new high-quality locks on your file cabinets.
Advantages Of File Cabinet Locks
There are various advantages of file cabinet locks.
a. Protect your files from getting lost
You can store the important files and lock the drawer. You won’t have to worry about losing an important file on the day of an important meeting. It is very easy to lose a file. But if you store them in a locked file cabinet they won’t go missing. You can find the documents easily. And you will only need to look at a single place.
b. Protects your privacy
You can store your important information in file cabinets. No one should be able to access them without the proper key. So all your documents are secure and no one can read them without your permission. If someone wants to go through the important files. They will need your permission for doing so.
c. Protect files against damage
If you store the files on a cabinet that is locked. You won’t have to worry about getting the files damaged. The files should be secure as long as they are inside the cabinet.
d. Provides a single storage space
You can use a single cabinet for storing all your documents. This makes your documents easily accessible. You can arrange the documents on various cabinets. You can use cabinets to store a single type of document. This will arrange your documents easily. You won’t have to go through ten different drawers to find a single document.
Where To Get Best File Cabinet Locks?
You can buy cabinet locks online or go to a local locksmith shop. You can also get safe and secure cabinet locks on Amazon and other online sites.
Final Talk
File cabinets work as a great storage space for your important files and documents. You can secure the documents and protect them. Storing the files on the locked cabinets protects the files against damage. And unwanted access. There is various type of cabinet locks that you can choose from. You can also install new and more secure locks. This article provides all the information that you need about file cabinet locks.
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