Lockmaster Institute in KY

[shadow11612]

(except for auto lockout...which is a meager 4 hours). Alot of people here have this whole moniker about short courses like this not being worth their weight...especially consitering that lockmasters costs nearly $3000 per course.

First I will say that I have been to several of the LSI courses, and I consider several of the Instructor staff friends. The Professional Locksmith course, is really a basic course and IMO designed for the person just starting to apprentice for a locksmith. The best part of the course to me was getting the ASSA Twin certification, and get a really nice pinning kit to take home. But you do spend a bit of time picking and impressioning also.

Next, the PUREAuto classes are not given by LSI (which is the Lockmasters Security Institute), these classes are given by Lockmasters, Inc. It is confusing, as they used to be one company, and even earlier was part of S&G locks.

I have never been to a PUREAuto class, but have gone through the LKM7000 and S&G 2740 certifications, given by Lockmasters. The PUREAuto seminars, I know that there are 5 different class and each one is 8 hours long and I am not sure of the cost.

Now LSI does offer a 4 hour "Emergency Automotive Opening" course. This class costs $175, or $475 with a car opening kit you get to keep.

An another note is that if the Washington D.C. metro area is closer for you, LSI has opened a training center in Woodbridge, VA.

[Nrhlmck]

I'm going to be taking the Emergency Auto Opening class in June up at Woodbridge. I would be more than happy to give a review of the class for anyone interested.

I've also wondered if the classes are worth the expense. I guess it really depends on whether it will be worth it to you to gain the knowledge/skills they are offering. As a hobby picker I would say maybe not. But if you plan on being a professional or start a business then I think they may be worth it.

Compared to any other specialized seminar, in any field, they cost about the same. So far everyone I have read about taking their courses have been very pleased with them. I have been looking for an apprenticeship under a locksmith and have found that it is basically a thing of the past. While some will offer help/guidance, it seems that courses like the ones LSI offers have taken place of what used to be an apprenticeship.

Once I determine what kind of work I'm going to run into in my area I plan on taking one or two of their specialized courses. I went ahead and signed up for the Emergency Auto Entry since I know that will be part of my work. I only live about 2 hours from Woodbridge and the price was fairly cheap.

Though I am going to piece together my own Auto kit. I don't want to go into any detail since Auto entry is a restricted subject. Like anything else I like to research and try out which tools work best for me. But they do offer a pretty nice kit to go along with the course as previously mentioned.

[brows141]

I am in the process of filling out the necessary paperwork in order to partake in 2 LSI courses. The 2 courses I will be taking are the Professional Locksmithing and GSA Certified Safe and Vault Technician courses. I will not be paying for these courses. The tuition, travel and lodging will be covered by my company (thank God) as this will be job specific training. I am interested in several other courses that LSI offers but times are tough and I can't invest that much money right now. Hopefully I can get my company to pick up the tab on a some of the additional courses I want. I am curious as to what is included in the "Custom Locksmith Tool kit" that is given to the students to keep. I know that it includes a basic pinning kit as well as a toolbag, some manuals, some picks, headset magnifier, screwdriver, pliers, pick and some other hand tools but there is no detailed list of what's included. Just curious as I know that I will need quite a bit more in order to run the lock-shop that will be added to our contract.

I know some people on the forum have been to these courses and I was wondering if they could give me some info as what to expect. Failure is not an option, as I would hate to come back from these courses without the certificates in hand.

Any recommendations as toward items or tools I should have with me that would assist with the accomplishment of this course? Any feedback is welcome even if these specific courses were not taken, but other courses at LSI were.

I will also be making a trip to Indiana upon completion of the above courses to participate in a 2 day course given by the Stanley Security company in the Basics of Mechanical Access.

Thanks in advance,

[shadow11612]

I have been to both of the courses you will be attending. You will get a small tool kit in each one. For the Pro Lock course, and this is a few years back, this is what I brought home. (I am doing this from memory, so I may forget some items.

A LAB Pinning Kit, Model LDKU3. (http://www.lockpickersmall.com/ldku3.html)
Pin Tweezers
Pin or Waffle tray
Dial Calipers
Impressioning Pliers
16 Piece Pick Set. (Just your really basic kit)
The head visor magnifier
Pippin File
Plug Follower
7 in 1 Screwdriver

Books-
Ilco Key Blank Directory
Class notebook
Also they taught and tested us to get the ASSA Factory Cert on the Twin System.
You get plenty of time on Key cutting Machine, and can make bump keys to take home.

I have had other people ask me about this course and I give you the same opinion. The Pro Lock course is an locksmith apprentice course. It is designed for someone with next to no knowledge about locksmithing to go home having a basic understanding. Unless they have added more, the focus is on residential and commercial locksets, master keying, and basic lock shop functions (cutting and duplicating keys). You will spend a little time picking and impressioning too.

The graduate from this course will be able to assist an experienced locksmith with day to day help and basic shop tasks. It allows the graduate to understand the language and lingo and be able to grab the right part when the locksmith asks for it.

You will not need to bring any additional tools with you. They will supply everything you need. You will have the chance to order and buy tools from Lockmaster's (LSI's sister company). During the course you may see or use a tool that you want, and during a break use the phone in the common area with a direct line to Lockmaster's, and the tool should be at the school by the end of the day or first thing the next morning.

[datagram]

I think we should have a locksport conference there. The Harry C Miller lock museum is like a candy store for locksmiths and lock pickers alike.

Yeah. You might get lucky, cf. e.g. http://lockwiki.com/index.php/Lockwiki:Current_events

Cheers
mh

Yeah, it's almost like someone thought of that!

dg