Work exp

[amehel0]

i got work experience and start in a week and 5 days. cant wait. there looking for a full time locksmith as an aprentice and i will leave school if they take me on board as an aprentice. i can NOT wait. anyway just thought i would share that with you guys .do you need to pick locks well to be a locksmith. i started picking 6 months ago but i stopped until about a week ago when i finally got a set. is it alright if i aint picking a master lock 17.

[Eyes_Only]

What are you studying in school?

[desert_gold_hound]

Did you tell them of your skills or lack there of (I don't have them eather). If you told them you were able to pick locks you may be in a bind. If you said you can pick a couple of locks don't worrie about it. I would guess they will train you.

[RodVT]

Sounds exciting, but one short piece of advice. Don't quit school unless they offer you a FORMAL apprenticeship. That means you should have a contract that states what, how long, etc. If you are giving up the continuity in your education you need to get something, other than a promise, in return.

Good luck.

[Eyes_Only]

I would work part time with the lockie for a year or so before deciding to quit school and take on locksmithing as a full time career. If at all possible try to finish your education so you can have something to fall back on incase being a locksmith does not work out for you. I hear life as a locksmith can be financially difficult at times.

[2octops]

.do you need to pick locks well to be a locksmith.

Actually, no.

You would be amazed at how many locksmiths can not pick a simple padlock.

If they do not do lockouts as part of their business (and many do not) there would not be much of a reason for them to pick a lot of locks.

I'm not a very good picker, but I am good at bypassing.

[mojomojo]

I totally agree w/ 2octops you dont have to be a good picker....i am not but I am pretty clever on bypassing ( not drilling)!!!!!!

[Jryanruch]

For counter work (rekeying, repairs), you'll get good at shimming cylinders open using a blank and a nice shim. You'll only have to pick some like Weiser entrance locks (when customer wants it rekeyed and they don't have the working keys) and someone will hopefully be there to show you other ways of getting those open without a key like pulling and twisting the tailpiece and wrapping the knob on a vice.

Later in your apprenticeship (totally depending on your company) you'll probably go out on the road and do installs, lockouts (autmotive and other), fitting keys to vehicles/file cabinets etc, repairs, messy divorces, work for the bailiff, opening homes where the police suspect suicide/death... it gets interesting and picking/bypassing will come to you easier and easier over time.

Good luck! I hope you enjoy it.

[desert_gold_hound]

opening homes where the police suspect suicide/death.

Oh wow I think they just bust the door in here. I could be wrong though.

[Eyes_Only]

Well death or suicide isn't really an emergency call where you are required to gain access on a restricted timetable so I doubt they'll just kick down the door in most or half the cases.

[Jryanruch]

I've opened a few where an older person had not checked in for a few days with the relatives. For violent death/suicide we get called to patch up the door/locks, and secure (rekey) the building as 'evidence' after they kick them in. Sometimes they wait for us to open them though -- I haven't figured out why.

[amehel0]

sorry i havent been able to answer questions i have been working a lot more then usual. first of all work experience is unpaid. they did not talk to me. i am studting normal subjects maths english all core subjects plus computers and art. the only way to get an aprenteship in qld is through tafe which is a government organisation. it would be a 4 year aprenteship and i get a certificate 3-4. any more questions i wont be able to answer for another few days maybe.

[amehel0]

another thing i can pick 2 5 pin standard house locks. 3-4 well known brand padlocks and a few warded. i am improving my lockpicking skill just i havent picked for asround 5 months and only took it up again 2 weeks ago.

[acl]

Its good to hear some of you guys across the pond are willing to do it the hard way and do an apprenticeship.over here its a different story, everyonr has bought into the lies that some of the traing companies tell them"4 days training guaranteed 1k a week"
I would like to take on an eager lockguy as thingd are fairly manic but as ive said no one seems to be interested in working for someone else and learning the trade,they just want to do their quick course and get on with being multi millionaires. Any uk guys on the same wavelength as amehlo please feel free to contact me. Toomush ,shrub etc forget it i couldnt afford you!!
Good luck to you American lads wishing to get into the trade "the right way"
Andy

[raimundo]

Im pretty sure qld is in oz, so thats accross several ponds.