Cabinets are quite functional when it comes to storage and home décor. But it looks quite out of the place if it is locked up by ugly and rusty bolted locks. Cam locks function as a holder or fastener for your cabinets. Here we have simple steps to install a cam lock on a cabinet. Follow our step-by-step in-depth tutorial to learn how to install cam locks on your cabinets.
Methods To Add A Cam Lock On A Cabinet
The major benefit of cam locks is the security it provides. These locks can be installed and used in a wide range of furniture such as cabinets, drawers, doors, file cabinets, lockers, and many more. They are typically seen in offices and study rooms.
Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
1. Fitting in the cam hole (pre-installation)
A standard cam lock can fit in ¾ inches cam hole. Small cam locks have to be positioned in 90 degrees increment. Long cam locks can be positioned 45-degrees increment.
2. Insert the lock body through the front of ¾ inches drilled hole.
After the hole has been drilled to the required length, insert the body of the lock carefully in the hole. If the furniture is made of wood, put a prong washer over the lock’s body; the part of the lock touching the wood. The prongs will make sure that the lock doesn’t turn inside the hole thus making it tighter.
3. Thread the cylinder nut and tighten
To set the cam lock in place, we have to tighten it up with a cylinder nut. Place the nut in the correct hole. Then using a driver or spanner to tighten it up. Make sure not to put too much force, as the cam lock is delicate.
4. Choose a stop
The kit comes with 45 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees stops. For shorter locking actions, 45 degrees or 90 degrees will work best. For a longer locking action, choose the 180 degrees stop.
5. Attach stop cam and straight cam
Now that the main body fits in like a glove, attach the stop cam and straight cam at the back of the main body. Then secure them up using a screw and a lock washer.
6. Testing it out
Now that your lock is installed, time to test it out. Get the key provided with the lock and insert it into the keyhole. Check for the perfect locking and lever spinning. Also, check if the lock is placed tightly inside the hole or not. Else with the vigorous turning of the key, the lock might come out.
7. Slot the cabinet frame
Plunge a single biscuit slot in the framing member above each drawer The slot should be of the perfect size to receive the cam
8. Setting the combination (for Combination Cam Locks only)
For combination cam locks (discussed below), you need to set the combination. Factory default set to >> 000 << . Find the hole in the code reset button on the bottom outer edge of the lock.
Rotate the front of the camera until you see the code reset button. Use a paper clip to push the pin in and hold it down. Please enter the desired combination
Release the reset button to set the combination. For locking it, you have to turn the lock to “lock” position. After closing the lock, turn one or more knobs. When you want to select a lock, point the dial at your combination.
Tools:
- Cam lock
- Prong washers.
- Cylinder nut
- Spanner or wrench
- Stop cam
- Straight cam
- Screw
- Lock washer
- Key
- Installed lock
- Biscuit joiner
- Drill machine
Materials: NA
How Do You Drill Holes For Cam Lock Connectors?
a. Mark the location: Decide on the exact position at which you want your cam lock. Mark a circle around that location.
b. The radius of the circle: For determining the diameter of the hole, assemble the cam lock.
c. Choosing the arm: Choose which arm of the cam lock to be inserted. In general, the cam-lock kit comes with two arms – bent-arm cam and straight cam
d. Drilling the hole: Use a 3/4 inch forcener bit to drill a hole in the front of the fake drawer. Be sure to fix the cut so that the back is not chipped. Then fix the 3/4 inch Forstner bit with a hand drill to finish drilling the drawer box. Secure the notch by fixing a piece of wood inside the drawer.
e. Installing the cam lock: Follow the tutorial steps above
Final Talk
That wasn’t so bad! Remember, cam locks can give only partial security. Relying on cam locks with extremely sensitive and valuable materials is not a very good idea. Also, it requires a key of a pretty small size. Make sure to keep the key at a safe place at all times. Otherwise you will have to break the whole installed lock for accessing the materials. Moreover, make sure you especially get a magnetic cabinet lock for your garage cabinets.
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