Wanting to be a Locksmith need info.

[Twisted T]

I hope that I can ask this here and not get run off or laughed at.
I'm interested in becoming a locksmith here in Nebraska however
I'm having trouble finding a course to take here if anyone has recommendations
for me I'd really appreciate it. BTW the reason I made the statement about asking
and getting run off or laughed at. I've been to other forums where asking questions is
frowned upon and followed with ridicule. Hopefully not here though.

[keysman]

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=11433

[Twisted T]

Good info. Thanks!! However I'm looking for recommendations for courses
available here in Nebraska. I guess I should've asked if there is a directory of courses
available by state. I've heard of the ALOA but where do I look for those courses?
Does this help any?

[raimundo]

Mail order courses are available everywhere, classroom locksmith courses are very rare,
the only one I ever knew of was at a vocational school in Pine City MN, but that is gone now.
Penn foster
Locksmith institute in newjersey might still be around, use to advertize on matchbooks etc.

then theres the really well know mail order course, the one that sells you a key cutter, Memory fails me, I forgot their name.

[raimundo]

Just remembered the forgotten
FOLEY BELSAW, and i think they are in kanzas, but doubt they have a classroom.

[Twisted T]

Thank you very much for the info. Ray I'm going to look into that course.
I've gotten into lock picking in the past few months and have learned a lot
from watching videos and reading. Now I want to go the extra mile and get into
the lock smith trade. I can't explain why but this intrigues me a lot. I've always liked knowing how things work and being able to modify them. At the risk of sounding
arrogant I seem to understand this quite easily of course I haven't got to the real difficult parts yet. To you older hands at this you're probably laughing at me but that's ok someday I'll be able to laugh with you. Again thank you all very much for the info and your patience. Have a great day

[Evan]

Good info. Thanks!! However I'm looking for recommendations for courses
available here in Nebraska. I guess I should've asked if there is a directory of courses
available by state. I've heard of the ALOA but where do I look for those courses?
Does this help any?

@Twisted T:

Unless you are already a member of the ALOA, or the local locksmith association sponsoring a local training event, any training you took from them would be a "y'all come on down to Dallas, Texas and git your learnin' after passing their background check" sort of thing...

The ALOA has a .pdf schedule of the available training courses for the whole year posted on their website...

~~ Evan

[camelgd]

Mr. Twisted T,
I don't think anyone will laugh at you for trying to better yourself or further your lock education. Locksmithing is changing so fast that no one school is going to give you any more than just what could be considered as the "basics". It is a long road to get to the point where you can run a successful business, I always advice aspirants to get the basics and try to hire on at a large company that is big on training.
Back in 81 when I started, I apprenticed under another locksmith, and got most of basic my training one-0n-one. Back then I could not have dreamed of programming keys for cars with computerized equipment, or opening safes with electronic locks that have remote keypads. I guarantee you that you will never stop learning if you do make the the jump. Along with the locksmith training, I would suggest some solid computer/Electronics training. No, no one will laugh. Serious people with determination accomplish great things. All the best to you.
camelgd

[Twisted T]

Thanks Camel for the advice! I recently found out that here in Ne. I only have to have the business license to get started. However before diving in head first with that I intend to continue training however possible either self teaching which so far seems to be my path or maybe an accredited school online. I'm currently trying to get a local
locksmith to train me but no response yet. So far I've managed to pick 5 different locks
and take 3 of them apart and put them back together successfully. You might say that
I've been bitten by the lock bug as I can't seem to get enough to satisfy. I'll keep you all updated with my progress as far as the business goes. BTW thank for not laughing at
me for being a NOOB.

[Squelchtone]

North Bennet Street School in Boston is a very respected brick and mortal school for locksmiths.

It is 36 weeks (900 hours of class/hands on time) for $17,910 + $1,850 for books and hand tools

If you pass some additional tests at the end of the year you may also get your CRL Certified Registered Locksmith certificate.

http://www.nbss.edu/education/programs/locksmithing/index.aspx

In one year you'll be more of a locksmith than whatever Foley Belsaw or Penn Foster could teach you via mail order certificate.

One of our own members here just went there and he was very happy with the school.

Squelchtone

[Seroxis]

I tried looking around for courses in SC, I don't see much.. Should I go ask a locksmith business if they're taking apprenticeships? I'm not too hot on the idea of online courses, I mean any help is better than none. But I'd prefer it if there was a person who could guide me through the steps, and show me what I'm doing wrong, you know?

---

http://www.sclocksmith.org/

I did find this, I'm not sure how I feel about it. Scheduling only seems to be for one day classes, not really courses.


(Sorry if I shouldn't have posted this here, I just figured I'd continue off this thread rather than making another one for the exact same purpose..)