Dear Locksmiths

[Squelchtone]

Dear Locksmiths,

I would like your input on sub forums you would like to see us create to expand the Locksmith Business Information sub forum into it's own section on lp101. We obviously have safes and automotive in the Advanced area, but as far as locksmith to locksmith topics such as running your business, tips and tricks for people just starting their business, vans and trucks, ways to advertize, supply shops you use, training classes and other topics, I'd like your ideas on what sub categories you'd like to see in the new Locksmith Business area. This area would not include Ask a Locksmith, it would be for locksmiths to talk business with other locksmiths here. Some of the topics may be existing threads, but probably deserve their own sub-forum instead of jamming everything into one thread.

Only trading locksmiths need reply to this thread, or retired locksmiths who can share wisdom from their years of experience, thank you,

Squelchtone

[cledry]

I think access control needs its own section combined perhaps with electronic locks.

Doors and door hardware (such as closers, pivots, hinges, exit devices) might be another good section.

[billdeserthills]

Seems to me that impressioning keys & disassembly of locks would be business related activities with little use for most hobbyists

[Squelchtone]

Seems to me that impressioning keys & disassembly of locks would be business related activities with little use for most hobbyists

You'd be surprised, a lot of hobbyists, after having a picked everything they own, have discovered how much fun it is to impression.

Squelchtone

[GWiens2001]

Seems to me that impressioning keys & disassembly of locks would be business related activities with little use for most hobbyists

You'd be surprised, a lot of hobbyists, after having a picked everything they own, have discovered how much fun it is to impression.

Squelchtone

That is how it happened with me.

Gordon

[jeffmoss26]

I agree, even though I have not mastered impressioning by any means.
I am lucky to have several forum associates who have made keys for locks I've received without them.

[1mrchristopher]

I think access control needs its own section combined perhaps with electronic locks.

Doors and door hardware (such as closers, pivots, hinges, exit devices) might be another good section.

+1 on both of these ideas

Maybe a sub forum for key machines?

[billdeserthills]

How about a general section for boring, dumb old stories. People can learn from dumb things that happen to others

[bmc1284]

Move Automotive to the Locksmithing area. Some of us Locksmiths are too busy running calls to meet the requirements of the "Advanced" area.

[Squelchtone]

Move Automotive to the Locksmithing area. Some of us Locksmiths are too busy running calls to meet the requirements of the "Advanced" area.

That would make it all available to anyone who visits the forum. What ever happened to protecting the public trust? Some of the info there may make it too easy for someone without any training to get into a car or start a car, and that's not the goal here. Perhaps I will rename Advanced to Restricted Topics.

My feeling is that those of you who are too busy to contribute enough to the forum to have enough posts to join Advanced, are not going to contribute in the Advanced areas either and that area isn't there as a free resource to leech from. Members are expected to contribute content as well.

Thanks,
Squelchtone

[floridaguy]

Move Automotive to the Locksmithing area. Some of us Locksmiths are too busy running calls to meet the requirements of the "Advanced" area.

That would make it all available to anyone who visits the forum. What ever happened to protecting the public trust? Some of the info there may make it too easy for someone without any training to get into a car or start a car, and that's not the goal here. Perhaps I will rename Advanced to Restricted Topics.

My feeling is that those of you who are too busy to contribute enough to the forum to have enough posts to join Advanced, are not going to contribute in the Advanced areas either and that area isn't there as a free resource to leech from. Members are expected to contribute content as well.

Thanks,
Squelchtone

That information is already out there though, security through obscurity is not security at all. Idk, not my decision though. With that being said, this forum is still going smoothly so even if people have complaints, the decisions the mods are making, still works!

[globallockytoo]

There are suppliers who will give better discounts to locksmiths than others, perhaps a section for suppliers too?
I know LP101 frowns upon bait linking and advertising your own business etc. But sometimes we may have a product that others would benefit from, a tool, a lock a service procedure, that we write about in our own websites.

[1mrchristopher]

Yeah, automotive probably doesn't belong out in the open. I can understand the frustration of a busy locksmith, but it IS a forum, not an online reference resource. Without contribution there would be nothing here.

[Squelchtone]

Move Automotive to the Locksmithing area. Some of us Locksmiths are too busy running calls to meet the requirements of the "Advanced" area.

That would make it all available to anyone who visits the forum. What ever happened to protecting the public trust? Some of the info there may make it too easy for someone without any training to get into a car or start a car, and that's not the goal here. Perhaps I will rename Advanced to Restricted Topics.

My feeling is that those of you who are too busy to contribute enough to the forum to have enough posts to join Advanced, are not going to contribute in the Advanced areas either and that area isn't there as a free resource to leech from. Members are expected to contribute content as well.

Thanks,
Squelchtone

That information is already out there though, security through obscurity is not security at all. Idk, not my decision though. With that being said, this forum is still going smoothly so even if people have complaints, the decisions the mods are making, still works!

So I hear that argument a lot.. and I ask you, please post me a link to where all this information is already out there.

Yeah, there may be an errant youtube video of some guy with a coat hanger or even a real professional long reach tool, and there may be a video of a guy using a Lishi tool or wafer decoder, or someone using jigglers or auto rockers to open a door, or drilling open a safe, but it is all scattered across the web. By having it in a forum in a nicely organized and cataloged location, it just makes it too easy for bad guys to come and learn. If they have to do some leg work and dig around youtube, some random blog that someone posted on getting into one particular brand or year of car, then that's not that much damage, but having it all here in one spot easy to look up and use.. that would not be a wise move on our part, and I'm surprised, that as locksmiths, you guys don't try to protect this information just a little bit. I bet if I walked into your shop and said, can I have some blanks to make bump keys, or can I buy some spool pins to get better at picking, you would be full of suspicion and you'd give me the old grumpy locksmith stink eye and tell me to beat it, but some folks expect things to be different here. I don't believe in security through obscurity, but I don't believe in teaching every bored street thug who uses google and finds this site.

Even professional locksmith forums such as Clearstar have logins based on being vetted and allowed in as someone qualified and trusted with that sort of information, I don't understand why there is always so much complaining about us having an Advanced area? I don't care what other forums do or allow or don't allow or if a lot of auto and safe info is already on youtube. Maybe it shouldn't be on youtube, have you guys thought of it that way? I will say that this year there will be a change in which locks are classified as advanced and not advanced, but things like automotive and safes are pretty obvious and will remain at a higher access level than general admission. I may make an exception to programming car keys so you guys can discuss programmers and procedures, but I would expect that things like direct key bittings and VIN numbers be posted with some discretion.

I originally posted this thread to better organize and define the Locksmith Business area.. as in how you run your business and tips and tricks you can trade with others.. what works, what doesn't, etc. it wasn't an invitation to revamp the whole forum to fit the needs of a few. please help me keep the thread on track.

I hope you guys realize that we ARE listening, and we ARE open to your feedback, but we cannot always bend to the wants or opinions members may have. Some things will occur in due time, but some may not fit the way we wish the forum to operate.

Thanks,
Squelchtone

[bmc1284]

I understand the need for restricted material and areas to store them away from the public eye. My beef is with the requirements to get into the club, n=ot the location of the material.

How is making 30 posts here going to prove more to you than showing my Illinois license number and ALOA Member number??