How to Drill Out a File Cabinet Lock

Filing cabinets typically contain a variety of papers and documents necessary in a professional or private capacity, or they carry sentimental value for the owner of the cabinet. Most filing cabinets come outfitted with a lock to protect the confidentiality of such papers. When the key to the lock cannot be found, panic and a hasty search are not necessary. Whether an inadvertent key loss occurred or a used locked filing cabinet was purchased with no available key, drill out the lock and release it with the proper tools and basic power tool know-how.

Steel drill bit set
Drill
Machine oil
Flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Insert an appropriately sized steel drill bit into the chuck of an electric drill and tighten securely with a chuck key. Choose a drill bit that fits the longest part of the keyhole entry point. This permits the bit to focus on the destruction of the lock tumblers.
- 2
  Apply a small amount of machine oil to the drill bit to reduce heat caused by friction generated by drilling the metal lock assembly.
- 3
  Begin drilling at a medium speed applying a firm, steady pressure on the drill. When the drill completely penetrates the lock mechanism, set the drill into its reverse mode and slowly extract it from the file cabinet lock.
- 4
  Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the slot of the lock mechanism and turn clockwise. If the file cabinet lock is completely destroyed internally, the release lever will trip, allowing access to the cabinet drawers.
- 5
  Repeat Steps 1 through 4, graduating to the next largest drill size if needed.

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