- Straighten out a paperclip but leave one of the ends bent. You’ll use the bent end of the paper clip to pick the lock on your filing cabinet.
- Insert the curved end of the paperclip into the keyhole. The paperclip essentially acts as your key.
- Turn the clip from left to right to find the correct unlock position. ...
- Turn your paperclip the correct way to unlock the filing cabinet. To unlock the cabinet, move the keyhole into the unlocked position, based on your individual cabinet.
- Pull on the handle to open your filing cabinet. Once the keyhole is moved to the correct position, the cabinet is unlocked.
Full Answer
How do you break a lock on a file cabinet?
Prying or Drilling the Drawer. If you think of throwing away the file cabinet after taking out the necessary documents, then prying or drilling the drawer may be applied. Prying can be done using a pry bar, though it needs extra strength to break the lock.
How do I unlock the cabinet?
To unlock the cabinet, move the keyhole into the unlocked position, based on your individual cabinet. To do this, either turn your paperclip clockwise or counter-clockwise.
How do you break a door lock with a hammer?
Bash the lock with the hammer until it breaks. It may take a few good hits to fracture the metal surrounding the locking mechanism, even if it’s reached the requisite −13 °F (−25 °C). Try to pinpoint each strike at the exact same spot to up your chances of success.
What to do if you lose your filing cabinet key?
If you must get into your cabinet, drill the lock out. If you lost the key to your locked filing cabinet and you need to get into it, you can call a locksmith and pay to have a new key made, or you can drill the lock out to get the cabinet unlocked.
How to break a lock with a hammer?
One of the easiest ways to break a padlock is with a hammer. Start by inserting 2 fingers into the padlock's shackle loop and pull up on the shackle to create tension. Then, tap the side of the lock that contains the fixed end of the shackle with a hammer using quick, short strikes.
How to crack a lock with two fingers?
The simplest way to do this is to insert two fingers into the shackle loop and use them to force the shackle away from the top of the lock. This will put the locking pins inside the lock into the right position for a quick crack-job.
Why do tumbler locks release automatically?
Most tumbler locks are designed to release automatically if a minimum number of pins are shifted correctly. Avoid letting the screwdriver slip too far out of the lock. Doing so could cause you to start missing pins, effectively undoing the progress you’ve made. ...
Can you break a lock that you don't own?
Never attempt to break a lock that you don’t personally own. Interfering with a lock with the intention of stealing or gaining access to someone else's property is a crime, and could land you in hot water with the law.#N#Thanks!#N#Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Can you bypass a commercial lock?
Fortunately, it’s possible to bypass almost any basic commercial-grade lock with ease, provided that you have the right tools and a little know-how. A standard padlock, for instance, can be cracked using only a hammer, a screwdriver, or a pair of open-ended wrenches.
Can compressed air break a lock?
The secret to breaking a lock with compressed air is that compressed air isn’t actually “air” at all —it’s a cooling gas known as difluoroethane, which freezes the lock and makes it brittle enough to break manually.
Can you hammer open a padlock?
The best part about coaxing a padlock open with a hammer is that it should still work like nothing ever happened afterwards, so long as you don’t hit it hard enough to damage any of the pins. As soon as you get done breaking your lock, give it a test run. If it fastens properly, hold onto it for future usage.
How to unlock a file cabinet?
Figure out how to unlock the file cabinet lock by turning it counter-clockwise or clockwise. You have to determine the right direction in which the file cabinet lock would unlock. To do this, turn the file counter-clockwise or clockwise until you feel that the file is sliding with ease. Most of the file cabinet locks can be turned clockwise ...
How to open a file cabinet lock?
By using a nail clipper file, you can open a file cabinet lock by inserting it into the keyhole and jiggling the file up and down until you push down all the pins and turn the lock into the unlocked position. This tutorial is useful if you misplaced the key of your file cabinet lock or you are a new employee and the office doesn’t have duplicate ...
How to remove nail clipper from cabinet?
Once you move the keyhole to either a horizontal or vertical position, depending on the kind of motion required to unlock, you can now remove the nail clipper file from the keyhole and open the cabinet. Fold the file carefully inside the nail clipper.
How to get a file out of a nail clipper?
The first step you need to do is slide the file out of the nail clipper. Make sure that it is facing downward. You can either turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise, depending on the direction you prefer. Aside from that, tighten your grip on the nail clipper. In the next steps, you will need to jiggle and move the file inside the lock, ...
How to unlock a keyhole?
Spin the file in the right direction to unlock the keyhole. After you release the locking mechanism, spin the file to the unlock position you determined earlier to unlock the keyhole. In this procedure, a gentle wrist will do. An indicator that you successfully collapsed the locking mechanism is if you hear a clicking sound.
Where to insert nail clipper?
Insert the nail clipper file in the bottom of the keyhole. After ensuring that the nail clipper file is in the right position, you need to insert the nail clipper file with the curved tip at the bottom of the keyhole. Push it as far as possible until the major part of the file is inside. Since the file has a curved tip, ...
Can you put a file cabinet lock inside?
Push it as far as possible until the major part of the file is inside. Since the file has a curved tip, fitting it inside a file cabinet lock won’t be a problem. Also, you can start to feel the pins inside the lock. Because of this, you will locate them easily when it is time to move and push them.
How to unlock a cabinet?
To unlock the cabinet, move the keyhole into the unlocked position, based on your individual cabinet. To do this, either turn your paperclip clockwise or counter-clockwise. Once you move the keyhole to the correct position, remove your paperclip from the lock.
How to lock a filing cabinet?
1. Straighten out a paperclip but leave one of the ends bent. You’ll use the bent end of the paper clip to pick the lock on your filing cabinet. If you’d like, you can use a pair of pliers to help you bend the paperclip.
How to pick a lock with a nail clipper?
1. Use a nail clipper file with a curved tip as your lock pick. To use the filing tool, locate a pair of nail clippers that has a tiny nail filing tool. Most of these tools have a curved tip at the top of the file. When you are ready to pick the lock, slide the file out from the base of the nail clippers.
How to turn a filing cabinet nail file clockwise?
For many filing cabinets, you can turn the nail file clockwise, like you would your key. Jiggle the nail file up and down gently to release the locking mechanism . The nail file fits almost perfectly into the keyhole.
How to unlock a cabinet with a nail file?
Turn the file back and forth to determine which way to unlock it. Move the file clockwise and then counter-clockwise so you can find the correct way to unlock the cabinet. When you find the correct position, the nail file easily slides that way. You'll feel the filing tool slide into place.
What to do if you lost your filing cabinet key?
If you’ve lost the key to your filing cabinet at work, don’t worry! You can use a nail file or a paperclip to get inside. With a little creativity and patience, you can easily pick the lock on your filing cabinet. Steps.
How to unlock a keyhole?
Move the nail file the correct direction to unlock the keyhole. After you jiggle around the file to move the pins, gently spin your wrist in the direction you determined earlier. With this motion, the locking mechanism moves into the “unlock ed” position. You may hear the locking mechanism collapse as you do this.
How to pick a lock for a file cabinet?
How to pick a file cabinet lock? To pick a file cabinet lock, straighten out a paperclip and leave one of the ends curved. Hold the paperclip vertically and insert the curved end into the keyhole, which will push down on the pins inside. You can do the same with a nail clipper file. The truth is, learning how to pick a file cabinet lock is ...
How to unlock a paper clip?
To find the unlock position, you have to move the paper clip to the right and left until you feel a “smooth” action without any catching. Do this gently so nothing breaks, and once the paper clip turns to the right or left without catching on anything, you’ve found the unlock position.
What does it mean to open a file cabinet?
Getting a file cabinet open means starting with the right tools, but fortunately, when we say “tools” we mean one of two things – a paper clip or a nail clipper file! If you’re at the office, finding a paper clip should be no problem whatsoever, and a lot of people have a set of nail clippers in their purse or pocket.
How to put pressure on a bobby pin?
You insert the bobby pin into the lock, then insert the paper clip at the top of the lock to try and feel the pins that are there. Wiggle the paper clip around while keeping the bobby pin inside of the lock. You have to create tension with the bobby pin and put pressure on the pins with the paper clip at the same time.
How to get a curved file into a keyhole?
Once you get a file with a curved tip, insert it into the keyhole and make sure the tip of the point is facing down. Try to get the file as far into the keyhole as possible. You’ll notice that when you’re done, most of the file will be inside of the keyhole.
How many pins do you need to move a cabinet drawer?
At this point, go ahead and move the file up and down. Most locks will have five pins, and you’ll need to move the file up and down until all five pins are moved correctly. If you can move the file up and down effortlessly, it means you’ve been able to move the pins and, therefore, unlock the cabinet drawer.
What to do if the first technique doesn't work?
If the first technique doesn’t work, you can go to Plan B , which is using the file part of a metal nail clipper. You likely already know that learning how to pick a file cabinet lock is much easier when you have some type of metal, pointed object, and the fingernail file on a set of nail clippers is perfect for this purpose.
What to do if you lost your filing cabinet key?
If you must get into your cabinet, drill the lock out. If you lost the key to your locked filing cabinet and you need to get into it, you can call a locksmith and pay to have a new key made, or you can drill the lock out to get the cabinet unlocked.
What happens if a lock turns?
If the lock turns, it will unlock the filing cabinet. If the lock does not turn, increase the size of the drill bit and repeat steps 2 and 3 until the lock does turn. Lisa Wampler began writing professionally in 2005 and has published on various websites.
How to keep a drill bit from burning?
Drill a hole straight through the lock. If the drill bit starts to smoke, Spray it with a little water from a water bottle to keep it cool. The locks used on filing cabinets are made of relatively soft metal, so burning the bit should not be a problem.
How to get a lock off a drawer?
Use the screwdriver and remove the screws holding it in place. The lock will easily pop off from the drawer. Place the lock in the vice and use the wrench to bend the metal latch back to position. Place the lock back where it belongs. If pins become bent you will need to remove the lock as well as open the lock casing.
Why is a filing cabinet important?
A filing cabinet is a great addition to your home office because the filing cabinet lock can keep important papers and other items secure. A filing cabinet lock is not impervious to damage, however. Slamming a filing cabinet door can cause a filing cabinet lock to break or jam and filling it to capacity and beyond can cause ...
