How to Install a Lateral Lock on File Drawers

Measure the height of your file cabinet with a tape measure and purchase a locking bar that fits that height.

Determine the side of the filing cabinet that you wish to install the lateral lock onto. You’ll need enough clearance on the side of the cabinet to swing the bar open, about 1-inch should be sufficient down the entire length of the cabinet, so clear any obstacles in the path of the bar on your chosen side.

Hold the bar vertically with the hinges on the bar on the side of the bar corresponding to the side of the cabinet onto which you intend to install the bar. Place the handle for the locking bar into the space provided, and then secure the handle in place using the screws provided driven through the rear of the bar and into the back of the handle with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

Place the locking bar hinge against the front of the cabinet on the cabinet frame at the sides of the drawers. Position the bar so that the top of the bar is even with the top of the highest file cabinet drawer. Mark the top mounting hole through the hinge onto the front of the cabinet frame with a pencil, and then remove the bar.

Drill a hole through the front of the cabinet frame where you placed the pencil mark using an electric drill, with a drill bit the same size as the mounting screws.

Position the bar back onto the front of the cabinet with the hole in the hinge aligned with the hole in the cabinet. Screw the bar in place on a metal filing cabinet with one of the self-tapping metal screws that came with the bar, leaving the screw loose. If installing the bar to a wooden cabinet, then use the wood screws for mounting.

Repeat the drilling and mounting process with the lowermost hole of the bar. After mounting the bottom of the bar, drill the rest of the holes through the hinges into the cabinet and then screw the hinges into place. Tighten all the screws in place.

Operate the bar by lifting the handle and swinging the bar over the face of the filing cabinet drawers. Lower the handle to reveal the mounting hole for the lock, and then set the padlock in place to secure the file drawers.