How to Brace a Wood File Cabinet

Repair your old standby filing cabinet with a brace.

Wooden file cabinets are an attractive way of filing your important papers. In time, the cabinet’s joints weaken. Repair a weakened joint on a wooden filing cabinet with a metal brace. Prevent weakening a wooden file cabinet by not overloading it. While a filing cabinet can withstand a lot of weight and abuse, it can become overloaded.

Things You'll Need

• Metal corner brace, with screws
• Drill
• Pilot-hole bit
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Remove the drawers from the filing cabinet and set them aside in a safe place. Look inside the top drawer opening of the filing cabinet and identify the loose joint that requires a brace.

2. Position the metal corner brace in the corner of the loose joint inside the top drawer opening. Mark the mounting holes in the brace onto the cabinet with a pencil. Set the brace aside.

3. Drill a one-quarter inch deep hole in the each marked mounting hole’s center using a drill equipped with a pilot-hole bit.

4. Center the brace in place over the drilled holes. Drive the screws that were included with the brace through the mounting holes and into the cabinet with a screwdriver. Replace the drawers into the filing cabinet.

Tips & Warnings

• Inspect the joints on the filing cabinet at least once a year to keep it in good condition.

• Wear eye protection when making wood repairs.