File Cabinet Components

Cabinet Frame

• The frame is the overall structure of the file cabinet. It is commonly manufactured with cold rolled steel. Some older file cabinets are made of wood, like maple or oak. The frame may be shaped either vertically or horizontally, though tall models are more efficient because they use more vertical wall space rather than taking up walking space in an office. The frame is gutted with square holes to fit the file drawers.

Drawers

• A file cabinet's drawers (also made of steel or wood) are removable boxes that are designed to move freely on a track. The front is equipped with a handle and latch that allows you to open the door then fasten it back closed securely. The drawer is usually linked to a locking mechanism to keep the files safe. The inside of the drawer has two steel bars where you can rest your large file folders. The bottom of the drawer is equipped with a rolling suspension---the rollers (usually plastic or nylon) move along tracks within the frame.

Tracks

• The tracks of a file cabinet are flat or circular aluminum (or other metal) bars that match up with the wheels of the drawer. The tracks are sometimes equipped with a "spring loading" instrument that repels the drawer and allows it to close quietly.