desert_gold_hound wrote: I don't realy plan on becoming a profetional looksmith so they probaly wouldn't help me out much. I just don't think locksmithing would pay me the kind of money I am going to get with programming.
I'm so sorry that you feel that way. I know a few programmers that make more than some locksmiths and some locksmiths that make more than some programmers. I know some of both that do not make enough to pay their monthly bills and buy groceries, but I also know some of both that clear well into the 6 digit marks each year consistently (some 7).
There is a lot of money out in the world to be made. You just have to figure out how to make it. Honestly, it's not that hard to do.
Most mfg's will require a contract and a buy in. If you want true restricted keyways, then you will have to come out of pocket with $3,000 min of hardware plus machines. You will also be required to purchase a minimum dollar amount of hardware each year to keep your contract current.
If you just want semi-restricted, then you can get into some for as little as $500 with $300 per year and no special equipment needed.
You will have to sign up through a distributor no matter how you go. You can not just sign up with the mfg's directly unless you have a very fat wallet.