LSI training

[Wolfe]

Im about to take the Professional Industrial Locksmith Training 10 day corse through LSI. Any one have any thoughts on this? The main reason i ask is that i know this stuff already.The only reason im doing this is to further my education by opening other doors in the future by taking this corse first(then on to safe/higher security certification and so on.)

Im still not sure i would like to be a locksmith.BUT if i was going down that road does this look like a good way to get there?Am i wasting my time?Am i diong things bass actwards? Is LSI even worth it? so on and so forth are the questions rumbling though my brain(with tons of others).

So any help or comments on this are all welcome.
thx fer the help
W.

[Wolfe]

forgot the link to the corse
http://www.lsieducation.com/locksmith.htm
and just incase the link doesnt work

Purpose
Obtain the skills necessary to become a competent locksmith that can service, maintain, trouble shoot and masterkey most industrial key lock systems.

Description
This 10-day hands-on course provides you with a comprehensive knowledge of locks, where upon completion you will have a solid background in the principles of locksmithing. This training teaches you the skills to become a competent technician who can service, maintain, troubleshoot and masterkey most industrial key lock systems.

Who Should Attend
This course was developed for anyone needing to know about key locks and their applications in an industrial, commercial or institutional environment.

Subjects Covered
• Lock terminology Key blank identification
• Key duplication and code cutting
• Cylindrical lockset identification, installation and service
• Mortise lockset identification, installation and service
• Lock designs and functions
• Master keying pin tumbler cylinders
• Picking and professional bypass techniques
• Impressioning keys
• Interchangeable cores: Best, Arrow, Eagle, Falcon and Schlage
• High Security locks: Schlage Primus, Medeco and ASSA
• Detention Locks
• Padlocks: American, Abloy
• General Service (RR-P-2827), Master, Presto and W-LOK
• Panic bars and fire exit devices
• Utility Locks: file cabinets, desks, lockers & cabinets
• Simplex Mechanical Pushbutton lock certification
• Life Safety Codes (NFPA 101)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Students Receive
• Screwdrivers, mallet, dial calipers, Tru-Arc pliers, pin tumbler tweezers, plug follower set, lock pick set, ice pick and pin tray
• Key Blank Directory, Universal Pinning Kit and a fully illustrated 250 page reference manual

Certifications & Diplomas
• Ilco Certification
• LSI Diploma
• ASSA Factory Certification

Course Information
Course Length - Ten Days
Course Number - LSI 150
Course Credit - 4 Hours, Review Credits, Click Here
Tuition - $2,500
For Refund Policy, Click Here
Contact Online, Click Here or call 866-LSI-TRAIN
Enrollment Online, Click Here
Download Enrollment Form, Click Here

Training Schedule
Week One
Glossary of Terms
Key Blank, Lock & Cylinder Identification
Handing of Doors & Door Preparation
Pin Tumbler Cylinders
Hand Filing First Key
Rekeying Cylinders
Key Duplication
Entry Lock Identification, Installation,
Disassembly & Troubleshooting Schlage, Weiser & Kwikset
Cutting Keys by Code
Key Machines
Cabinet Locks
Computer Software
Lock Picking
Key Impressioning
Professional Bypass Techniques

Week Two
Master Keying
Small Format Interchangeable Cores Best
Fire Exit/Panic Hardware
Padlocks
High Security Locks
ASSA Twin 6000, Medeco and Schlage Primus
ASSA Certification
Simplex Certification
Final Written Exam

[gotta]

First off, I buy a lot of product and tools from Lockmaster. They have decent quality and nice staff. I view them as a good company.

That said, I think that's a lot of money. The other problem with the crash courses is that it really doesn't prepare you much for field work. I would still like to attend their course, even after the years I have worked, simply because I know it would be high quality.

[Wolfe]

Yeah a lot of money for sure.I dont mind the crash course so much its pretty basic knowlage that i already know. Im more intrested in the certification and to be able to take more advanced courses with them.

Like i said im not sure how far as a career im intrested in taking this. Ive been studing locks and safes on and off for about 4 years now. I hate the fact that i cant get what i want when i want it,be it a book, a tool, advice,To have a conversation with a "professional" whatever. I figured i win both ways with this.If i come to the conclusion i want to make this a career im going the right direction or if i just want it as a hobby and purchase a soft drill im good also.

Feel free to keep the comments comming.
W.

[maintenanceguy]

If you're looking for credentials in institutional locksmithing, you could look at the certification program here. http://www.ilanational.org

If you really know this stuff already, you could fly to the nearest testing city and sit for an exam for much, much less than the cost of this course and end up as a "certified locksmith" whatever that really means.

I've got my resume padded with lots of certifications, accreditations, and licenses that really aren't all that impressive once you know what they're really about but you're right, they do open doors.

[gotta]

....they do open doors.

Pun of the day!

I have a few institutional smiths that I communicate with. They really know the stuff they have on site. I think part of being a good overall locksmith is taking advantage of other people's experience. I called a friend of mine in New Mexico who works at a university. I knew he had a certain model of door closer. The conversation started with "Well, let's see, I only have 1800 of those in service..." Needless to say, my question was quickly resolved.

[Wolfe]

Yeah i hear ya there Gotta. I look at this as a way to build contacts and meet new people also.

[Wolfe]

These are the courses that im signing up for

Professional Industrial Locksmith Training
Safe lock Servicing
Basic Safe penetration
Combination Lock Manipulation
Electronic Safe lock Defeat
Intrusion Detection
Safe Deposit Lock Servicing
Lock One
Automotive Technician 1

[globallockytoo]

That link you provided above certainly explains what they offer, well. It looks quite good actually.

But having all the training and being able to complete jobs on site are two different things.

Example: Last night I was called out to open a house. The customer got my name from a real estate agent. When he called he told me there was another locksmith on site who was unsuccessful.

Upon arrival, I found the locksmith (one of the oldest and largest lock companies in town) busy attempting to hand pick an Emtek deadbolt.

I asked him if he lubed the lock....he said yes with lots of WD-40. I told him that was his first mistake. He told me he has been in the trade 7 years and has never found a lock he couldnt open (I didnt believe him). I told him I'd been in the trade 25 years and had a few that I've had to drill.

I asked if he tried to use a pick gun - Yes, he broke the needle.
I asked if he tried to impression - Yes, he broke the blank.

The customer had been waiting with the tech onsite for 4 hours.
I immediately filled the keyhole with graphite and proceeded to hand rake without a tension wrench for a few seconds.

Got my pick gun - proceeded to attempt to pick for about 5 minutes before my needle broke. Went and got my back up pick gun (put the battery one on charge). Attempted to use a hook and wrench to no avail.

Other tech left (finally) (he looked defeated)....

Got my battery pick gun and used for 2 minutes, before replacing needle in mechanical pick gun and proceeding to pick open the lock.

The customer told me that he was worried when the other guy wasnt trying alternative methods of entry other than picking. The customer said that the tech told him his battery drill had broken and he only had one keyblank to try impressioning.

I was there a total of 45 minutes, including repairing the lock.

My point is....you can take all the training you like....get this piece of paper and that piece of paper....which all might help you to get some good money....but it's all worth jack if you dont have experience. You only get that experience on the job.

This other tech was trained to use WD40 in all locks as a lubricant. I understand completely why there are so many inexperienced locksmiths. The zoo handler training the monkeys doesnt know what to do. The blind are leading the blind.

By all means take the course....it will be a grounding...but when you encounter a situation on site that you werent trained for what will you do.

The one thing many of these courses dont teach you is the one fundamental lesson you need to know. BE METHODICAL.

We all have bad days even 25 year veterans like me.....but you will only get experience through the jobs...not the school (sorry to hijack your thread)

[Wolfe]

No worries Global i welcome all comments.
I understand the difference of book learning and hands on experience.
Im really supprised that somthing like that would happen especialy from a big co. You think that they would screen a little heavier than say a fly by night joint.

Most of this stuff is just basic crap and i dont really expect to learn a whole lot.The only lock fields i havn't played around to much with is Autos.

but anyway feel free to chat it up im intrested in what you have to say.
W.

[Wolfe]

What does the ILA test cover? Like i said im not that into Autos so i havnt much of a clue there. Is the ILA test the one i want? Is there a better certification? Is that the stepping stone to others? So on and so forth.

If i can just take the test and be on with it without i would. If ya have some info for me let me know thx.
W.

[kodierer]

You need 2 things. I locksmith to mentor you, and Locks Safes and Security.

[Wolfe]

yeah i already read the LSS+ and many other books and articals. Not really a problem in that department. As far as like a apprenticeship i've asked around and no one is really that intrested in my area.

[Beyond]

You need 2 things. I locksmith to mentor you, and Locks Safes and Security.

End of thread.

[Beyond]

As far as like a apprenticeship i've asked around and no one is really that intrested in my area.

Don't stop at that.

I began asking at 17 as soon as I got my high school diploma. I didn't find a place that was willing to take on an apprentice until I was 20. A lot of shops weren't interested in taking on an apprentice (it's a huge investment for them, mind you, with a high risk of failure - you could leave them at any time) In the mean time I read up on locks and went to college.

I graduate in under a year and if anything, I have a degree to fall back on if for some reason I don't choose locksmithing as my career, and I don't foresee any. I'd rather not go into computers (my degree will be in IT) but at least I have SOMETHING to protect myself.

Time changes and so do mindsets. Just because locksmith shop A said, "We aren't interested." in 2007 doesn't mean they will say that in 2009.

I don't know where you live but if you have the means and transportation, possibly looking outwards a bit further. The only shop I found that let me apprentice under them was in Atlanta, a 30 minute drive (without traffic). You really illustrate to your potential or current locksmith employer how dedicated you are when you are willing to make that kind of commitment.

I'm pretty sure that my boss knows I have to wake up 2 hours before work, get ready in 15 minutes, and sit in bumper to bumper traffic for nearly 2 hours just to make it to the shop.

If anything, take it from me, nothing comes easy to newcomers in this industry and you really have to set yourself apart from the rest in terms of dedication and preservation.

Good luck man but don't let those few dead ends deter you.