How to Remove File Cabinet Drawers

Removing the drawers can make moving, repairing or renovating a filing cabinet easier while keeping all your work documents in their rightful place. But this can be tricky with all the different types of filing cabinet. That’s why we have put together step-by-step instructions for removing drawers from all five systems.

Removing Drawers from a Side-Mount File Cabinet

Many modern filing cabinets use side-mount runners with safety locks to stop the drawers from falling out if they’re pulled too far. The purpose is to allow the drawer to fully extend out to make organisation and storage easier for the user.

To remove drawers from a side-mount filing cabinet, pull them out until it stops then place both of your hands on opposite sides of the drawer. You’re looking for a small horizontal lever where the two runners are connected.

The lever should have two different oval-shaped tabs. Push them down while pulling the drawer away from the cabinet to disengage the runners. You can easily reinstall drawers to a side-mount filing cabinet by pushing the tab on the back.

Removing Drawers from a Lateral File Cabinet

Lateral file cabinets are used for providing a large storage option in a small space. Unfortunately, due to their size, you will have to take everything out of the drawers before you remove them. You should also remove the hang rail bars and handles too.

Extend the top drawer completely and keep an eye out for a block and rope assembly. Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws inside the drawer and this will separate the rope attached to the block. The rope is the part of the filing cabinet’s anti-tip mechanism that stops it from falling over.

Once this is removed, you should be able to easily slide out any desired drawer from the cabinet. Pull the drawer out completely and find two plastic tabs on either side. Press these tabs and lift the drawer upwards to remove it from its slide assembly and then simply pull it out.

Removing Self-Closing Drawers from a Filing Cabinet

High-end filing cabinets often come with self-closing drawers which operate differently from normal systems. To remove a self-closing drawer, you need to open it until its guides are completely extended. Look for a locking lever or clip at the drawer guides and push it either up or down before pulling the drawer out further. Finally, you will need to remove the drawer from the rails by tilting it downwards from the back.

Removing Wooden Drawer Slides from a Filing Cabinet

Wooden drawers are more traditional designs that you don’t usually see in modern furniture. You want to approach removing a wooden drawer from the top and work towards the bottom. This stops top-heavy furniture from falling over.

Next, you need to pull the drawer out as hard as you can. The extra force should be enough to pull the drawer out towards you. If your wooden filing cabinet has a single central wooden track, then it will require a bit of extra effort on your part.

Removing Drawers with Stabiliser Screws from a Filing Cabinet

Many modern file cabinets are fitted with stabilizer screws. You will need to manually remove these screws before you try to remove one of the drawers. Similar to the wooden drawers, start at the top and work your way down to avoid the cabinet toppling over.

After you’ve removed the stabilizer screws, put your hands on either side of the drawer you want to remove and slide it out until it reaches a natural stopping point. Next, you’ll need to find the stabilizer screws fitted on the inside of the drawer. These will need to be removed with an appropriate screwdriver.

Once the screws are removed you should locate the catch tabs on either side of the drawer and release them by pulling them in an upward direction. After this is done, you should be able to slide the drawer out of the cabinet.

This article should help people understand how to remove file cabinet drawers, making repairs, renovations and organisation easier. If you’re looking for a new file cabinet for a commercial or home office, we have an extensive range at Furniture At Work.