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Locksmith Courses

This is the old Locksmith business info area and will be broken down to fill in the new sections below.

Locksmith Courses

Postby TheMikeMan » 28 Jul 2006 21:24

I know what you are thinking- "Oh no, not another thread about the FB course!" , but just hear me out.

My dad requested the info packet from FB, and I was excited to see it in the mail today. I opened it up, and pulled out a huge stack of stuff. I read through it a few times, and it looks pretty good.

After some consideration and research, I have decided that FB is the course to take. A lot of the other courses I looked at seemed really obscure, and not quite as comprehensive. It seems that most people on here are raving about FB.

The problem is that my dad isn't very happy with the info packet. He says that they over-dramatized the whole thing and blew it way out of proportion. I told him that that's how advertising works, and that repetition usually prevails over just mentioning something once. He is concerned that it is going to get us scammed or something. I respect his opinion, but I still disagree.

I have also heard that the price will go down if you wait a bit. How long do you usually have to wait for this to happen? After all, I'm not the one who would most likely be paying for the course, so I think it would be wise to save my parents some money and wait a bit.

If there is anything at all negative about your experiences with FB, please don't hesitate to say something. On the other hand, please describe the good things about FB as well.

My dad seems to think that if some of you people are actually locksmiths, what are you doing on a forum talking about picking. I told him that many locksmiths consider picking to be a fun thing to do whether on the job or not, so it makes perfect sense that locksmiths talk about it on forums. It's like asking: "Why do professional chefs cook when they arent working?"

Please help me explain to my dad that FB is worth the time, money, and that locksmithing does not have a dwindling future.
TheMikeMan
 
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Postby LockNewbie21 » 30 Jul 2006 21:03

Tell your dad to take some estrogen and don't insult people he does not know.

FB is okay, they nickle and dime tools and supplies and half the locks you learn about you don't get a learning aid.

Its a bit outdated.. they say a tubular lack is extremely if not impossible to pick :roll:

Its okay and recongized so go for it.
[deadlink]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/Locknewbie21/LockNewbie21Sig.jpg[/img]
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Postby lockedin » 30 Jul 2006 21:15

LockNewbie21 wrote:Tell your dad to take some estrogen and don't insult people he does not know.

:lol:
Image
lockedin
 
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Postby Shrub » 30 Jul 2006 22:22

Im a lockie and come here to help others as thats what i like doing, i also pick locks for a living so it surley means i have to practice on new locks as they come out, new techniques as they come out and with new tools as they come out, i also need to keep my skills up by picking at home,

Plust its fun, if you like your job you dont mind doing it anytime,

A firman wouldnt walk past his chip pan on fire because hes not working would he?
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Postby LockNewbie21 » 30 Jul 2006 22:24

Holy hypocrit.. i didn't even realize i did that :P

Yea well.. i can assume a great deal by that statement based on people i know, i take it as an insult, i learned 99% of all i know from great people on here on there own time willing to help someone, so its insulting.


but the dad part aside, it is a good course, a little skimpy yes but like i said they diploma is rconized which can be used to aquire an apprenticship, or even a job.

If you need any help.. as i did very much, even my post structure (shout out to shrub :P ) Just ask away and don't let mindless opinons of others sway you from what you want to do.


I am sure there is a famous quote for something like that.. but it suttle :P


Best of luck to you buddy.

Andy
[deadlink]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/Locknewbie21/LockNewbie21Sig.jpg[/img]
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Postby LockNewbie21 » 30 Jul 2006 22:25

Man your fast shrub.. you posted right before me
danggg :shock:
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Postby TheMikeMan » 31 Jul 2006 0:45

yeah he admitted that it was a presumptuous thing to say. My mom knows a local locksmith through her work, so we'll se if I can just go straight for the apprenticeship :P .

I do have one final question for the day:

What does one do in order to become a certified locksmith? Is there a specific certification procedure ( in USA)?
TheMikeMan
 
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Joined: 4 Feb 2006 17:24
Location: Northern Illinois

Postby LockNewbie21 » 31 Jul 2006 1:47

Well the course will give you a diploma, but a lockie can train you.. this is much more recomended and right you as a certified lockie.

If you can hands down do the apprenticeship, you will leran more in one day than a month with the course
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Postby TheMikeMan » 31 Jul 2006 11:47

I'm trying to get this worked out, but it looks like it will be a while before mom even talks to the guy.

LN21, I like your new posting style! :)
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Postby Raccoon » 31 Jul 2006 15:38

North Carolina has some VERY nice locksmithing classes, which are VERY affordable. The descriptions alone suggest they kick Foley-Belsaw's arse.

http://www.northcarolinalocksmithsassoc ... lasses.htm

They welcome local and out-of-state locksmiths. If you intend to take many classes, I'd suggest renting an apartment there, becoming a locally licensed locksmith, and then 90% of the classes will be free.
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Postby TheMikeMan » 31 Jul 2006 15:56

I'm basically focusing on the local locksmith right now. I think asking for an apprenticeship right away is too much, so what should I do to get the ball rolling?
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Postby Shrub » 31 Jul 2006 16:46

There is no such thing as too soon as someone wanting to mould someone for future work wants a blank canvas so before you have any bad habbits etc or wrong info you could do well to register your interest,

Theres nothing worse than leaving your plans on hold and finding out that someone esle snook in and beat you to it,

In the mean time get practicing, if you can at least pick a lock its a good show, if you understand what a master key system is and how it works it would be a good start,

Re-pining, re-keying are also things you should understand,

If you dont ask you dont get, if he says not right now, learn as much as you can on here and go back in a few months and blind him with knowledge,

If hes a one man band it may be that he cant support another worker, make him feel he needs you by offering to go clean his shop up for free, help carry tools around for free if he takes you on jobs etc, its all experiance for you and he may very well come round to seeing you could be a good assest,

If you cut keys a few hours at weekend for free at his shop you will learn more than sat doing nothing at home,
Shrub
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Postby TheMikeMan » 31 Jul 2006 16:57

good thinking. I'm going to re-pin my homebrew kik cutaway with some security pins and master pins in there, and learn how to pick it really fast and maybe he will see that I have potential.
TheMikeMan
 
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Location: Northern Illinois

Postby Shrub » 31 Jul 2006 17:04

Speed isnt always the answer you know, he has to justify his time on a job and if its short then fine but it must look professional,

Take your time making your actions look educated, thought out and methodical, that will impress anyone more than simply rattleing a pick around as fast as you can and opening a lock youve pinned,
Shrub
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Postby TheMikeMan » 31 Jul 2006 17:36

true, so youre saying i should just bring in a master padlock like a #1 or a #2 and open that? Because that's not impressive to most people let alone a locksmith that's been in practice for like 25 years. lol
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