Just signed up for Foley-Belsaw locksmithing school...

by **Patch** » 2 Mar 2005 0:58

Well just wanted to give a quick update I mailed of the first five lessons and I just finish the next seven I am working on the side bar locks I still need to do the key impression for lesson 7 before I send in the next 5. I just have not had any time to sit down in the garage and do it but maybe in the next day or so I will finish it up. I think things are going good I have learned quit a bit the combo locks I already knew how to open so that was finished in about 2min. other than reading, but I am enjoying this alot. I will keep you guys posted. Thanks again to LP101 and all it's members.

by **bigbike** » 2 Mar 2005 16:50

I know what you mean about time Patch. I got my next set of lessons early last week and have done nothing with them other then put them into my locksmithing box! :shock:

I will try again to get to them tonight and get busy, but I am currently mourning the loss of a dear pet I had to have put down and am just doing simple busy work to take my mind off of it.

by **lock_assassin** » 2 Mar 2005 17:47

I am really glad to see the amount of people who have signed up for the Foley-Belsaw course because of this post. If you have the time to attend a 2 year school I am sure you would get better tools, training, etc. For me I couldn't take 2 years out of my life to travel to another place and take a regular course. You can work at your own pace and it is very relaxing to work on the lessons on the weekends to kind of wind down after a long week.

I got what I wanted out of this course. I now have 2 degrees and a much better understanding of how several types of loks work. Heck I even bought a S & G 6730 Combo lock and started learning how to dial it open without the combo. Still working on that one though!!! I do comb through EBay listings every week or so looking for new practice locks, plus my friends and family save any old locks they run across for me to work with.

I wanted to learn all aspects of locksmithing, more than just picking and that is what I got out of this course. It is true the more you put in the more you get out of it.

Keep working hard guys and I wish you all the best. If any of you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I will see if I can help.

lock_assassin

by **Ezer** » 3 Mar 2005 21:24

I called this morning and ordered the course. I'm not one for waiting around when it can be helped, but I had a heck of a time convincing the lady at F-B to let me pay for the course up front without them sending me the information package first.

She asked me how I could know I wanted to take the course? I told her after reading all the posts about them here, how can I not?

Then she said I had to be sent a quote first before paying. I told her I know how they send a quote and if you don't bite, you get a cheaper quote until eventually you get quoted $599, and if it was all the same to her, I'd like to skip that and just pay $599 right then. Now that really flustered her. lol At first she denied that they do that, but I just told her that I knew they offered that price and was willing to pay in full and eventually she let me.

I've never had to work so hard for someone to take that much money from me before. I can't wait to get my first lessons.

by **bigbike** » 6 Mar 2005 15:12

Hey Ezer:
At least you found out about the discounts before you signed up. I found this site AFTER I signed up at like $750 for the course. So you are already saving $150 for the same course I am taking.

So far I am enjoying learning about locks and such. I have bought several locks off ebay for practice and such, but the best deal I got was from FB itself on the box load of locks for $89. There is 3 types of car ignition, padlocks, door locks, and all kinds of stuff in this box. I think it is like 15 different types of locks which after you look at them and work on them you can install them or whatever when you start a buisness (provided you don't lose parts of course). I also ordered their "surprise" package which turned out to be a code book definately worth more than what I paid.

I found I could do better on some things buying tools here-once you see the quality of what comes with the course you will know what I mean, and I also got a few things at my local Harbor Freight store (or on line from www.harborfreight.com) things like the bench vise that FB wants $36 for I paid $9 for at HF and the little tool set with pliers, screwdrivers and stuff I got in a nice case for $9 or $10 which thru FB for the same quality is 2X that. Other things you will find FB's catalog to be cheaper on like batches of blanks and such. You will have fun going thru catalogs and making up a dream list for things that you can use when you start your buisness. some things ebay is great for IF you don't get gouged on shipping. Oh yeah I got a nice lighted magnifying headband with eye loop for $2.99 from HB (had to buy batteries) same one FB offers for like $20 and ebay sellers have for $6 without batteries (plus shipping) or $12 with batteries (plus shipping). Have fun, don't spend too much and study every lock you can get your hands on. The only thing that I am debating now is what kind of car tool set to invest in. Cheap starter set that claims you can get into 90% of all cars (more likely 60% or less) or spend $$$ and get a set that will get me into todays cars (and yesterdays) along with a good set of manuals so that I don't damage a customers airbag, door etc. :roll:

Janice

by **Patch** » 6 Mar 2005 21:43

Just another update.... I just finished lessons 6-10 and 11-15 will be sending them out tomorrow. So far so good it has been alot of fun and belive it or not I have learned a lot about the enternal parts of the locks. I never bother looking inside a lock before. Well I will let everyone know how the next lessons go.

by **Ezer** » 6 Mar 2005 23:40

Janice,

Thanks for the advice about the lock package through FB. I'll definately look into that.

So far I've ordered the 32 piece pickset from South Ord. The one they say is scratched or something. It seems like a good deal. I guess I'll find out when I get it. Right now I'm looking for a good set of files and some other basic tools.

I saw that you were able to get a subscription to TNL. Were you ever able to figure out what they are looking for on there website for registration?

by **bigbike** » 7 Mar 2005 17:31

Not exactly Ezra, I assume it is codes since they are telling you you need a code book. I only have one code book and unfortuneately it does not cover the examples I keep getting asked!

I am glad to see this site back up as I kept getting errors on it yesterday when I tried to access it.

by **Lockpick Dan** » 8 Mar 2005 21:44

They say that if they make additions to the course, they'll send you the additions free. Today I got a thing in the mail about having more advanced courses available (of course after I had completed the main course, so I don't get it for free) and i was just wondering if anybody else got this.

by **Buggs41** » 8 Mar 2005 22:49

The additional courses are geared toward a 'specialized' area that you might be interested in. This is similar to our friends in the EU that take courses on drilling safes, bypass techniques, lever locks, etc.
If you are interested, and wish to gain more training in the advanced courses offered by FB, they will still give you a great training program.
I haven't done any of the specialized courses yet, But someday I will.

by **Ezer** » 10 Mar 2005 13:37

I recieved an invoice today saying everything but the first 15 lessons are on backorder. So I called F-B to ask what that meant for me, and the lady told me that they sent the first 15 lessons on Teusday and that they sent 15-30 and the key machine today.

Between spring break going on at college next week and construction going on where I work, I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands next week. I wonder how far I can get through the program since I'll have all the lessons?

by **Lockpick Dan** » 11 Mar 2005 16:44

If you work hard and quite a bit of the time, I'd guess you could finish.

by **Richie** » 12 Mar 2005 5:47

I got my lesson pack 6-10 the other day (got 11-15 before it, weird...) and it was missing all the key blanks for impressioning the warded lock. I called them up and said "yeah, several people have been missing that one, we'll send some more right away". Best service I've gotten all day.

I still think it's awesome the way that one masterlock had the back ripped off. RAR! HULK HELP WITH LOCKSMITHING!!

by **Patch** » 12 Mar 2005 23:03

I was wondering if anyone that finished the school ordered the video they offer after the first five lessons? Is it worth the $33.00?

by **Ezer** » 15 Mar 2005 13:30

Well I finally received my first lessons yesterday. I got 1-15 and 26-30 with the key machine. I already finished 1-15. So I was hoping to get 16-25 in today, but the mailman already came and no such luck. :cry:

Then I start looking through the book for 26-30 and 8 pages in lesson 29 are blank, but I called them up and a new book is on the way.

Overall I'm really enjoying the program. I can't wait for the next set of lessons covering masterkeying. I'm hoping that the next time at work we need to change the locks on one of the smaller buildings I'll be able to do it.

Just signed up for Foley-Belsaw locksmithing school...

Who is online