Decent training in North East england?

[kwc]

Hi All,
Do any of you know of a decent company in the North East of England (Newcastle) that provides training for locksmithing and safe work.

Iam looking to learn the skills from someone decent and not be a driller as most courses seem to like.
Not many training companies train for safe work, do you need to learn the basics before going into safe work.

I can't find any resources for learning about safe work other than manipulation books (found very useful).

I hope the industry will soon regulate locksmiths and provide proper training so i can learn the right way.

Any locksmiths need a hand at weekends in return for a bit of training then let me know.
Thanks
Kev

[pinky]

safes should be a way down the line after the basics are properly learnt and mastered.

[quicklocks]

woha
if you want to go into safe work you need to learn all the basic stuff first and then some. as safes use the basic stuff and a few extra tricks ect. and before you atempt a safe you have got to know what you are up against, relockers glass hardplate to name a few. the reason safe tech get the big bucks is cause they earn it. safe cracking as ive seen it is a way of life not a job (think about it!)
i dont touch safes, simple. im not yet good enuf and wont be for while ask pinky, al or chris b how long they have been at it. and yet there is more to learn...........

[pinky]

as for uk training on safes, there is only 3 top safe engineers outside of the mla that teach their art, and only to trading locksmiths who have the ability to use it and the funds to invest in it.
an average decent safe engineer carries around £70,000 in tools and stock, often £10k + in endoscopes alone.
other than here your only other options for safe training are to become established as a locksmith and travel to the states to the savta courses or to take a trip to mark bates and do his 3 week course.

as to decent training in north east, i know of none, only 1 training company in north east and following that course most have to retrain to be able to start out in general locksmithing, my advice search further afield.

[taylorgdl]

There's no-one I know of up here in sunny Northumberland, I went down south (don't go to Monkseaton !!).

I'll be around in a month or two, and we can exchange ideas if you like. You know a few things about access control and alarms and things don't you ?

Sorry, can't train you though

G.

[kwc]

Hi All,
Thanks for the advice. I thought as much regarding safe work.
I won't go to Monkseaton for training as i know what you think of them.
Ill stick with the basics for now and learn as much about safes as i can using the books i have so far.
Lock picking and working on safe locks is a great hobby but i want to learn more than just the hobby level.
I will continue to visit here each day and leran as much as i can.
Thanks for your support.
Kev

[pinky]

Dont give up , do some reading here, download mit guide, get some good basic training and build from there.
we teach all novices to open basic 7 lever locks on gun cabinets and on small safes up to about £5k cash rating, but this is basic opening.

master the basics, learn to pick BS3621 locks with curtain picks and 7 lever safe locks like post office locks to start, when you can pick these with relative ease, its then time to look at further safe courses.

[kwc]

Hi Pinky,
Thanks for the great advice. How do I go about getting curtain picks etc for the mortice type locks as far as i can see i need to be a locksmith to buy them. Then once i have them how do i use them.

I have a basic knowledge of locks as my first job was with a locksmith and i fitted locks and safes (25 years ago but he died).
I have a good set of picks for the pin and tubular locks and can work on these but have nothing for the lever locks.

I have a couple of combo safe locks set up for manipulation and plenty of books on picking and manipulation.
If you can point me to a source where i can get tools for the lever locks i would be grateful.
I will search this site for info about opening lever locks.
Thanks again
Kev

[The Pindropper]

You can't go past Pinky's training, I trained with him for a few days, but he gives you a lifetimes worth of enthusiasm. If you have a little experience I'm sure he can only help further!