buying tools

[WELSHY83]

Hi am just about to do my training course here in the UK and am concerned that I need to know the essential tools I will need to be a good locksmith. Can any body recommend what tools I will definitely need and ones not to bother with. I don't what to buy a full set of tools for£3500 and realize I don't need half of them or that the tools are crap.... any ideas or help would be good

MANY THANKS to all !!!

[MrAnybody]

Hi am just about to do my training course here in the UK and am concerned that I need to know the essential tools I will need to be a good locksmith.

Welcome to the forum, Welshy.

What are you gonna cover on your course?

[Sinifar]

To start out with, take your cue from the tools furnished with your locksmithing course. You will need some hand tools from the hardware store if you don't already have those, and some of that should be detailed out in your course.

Beyond that, buy what you need as the need comes up. Don't get over enthused about the trade. Many tools are designed for working smiths who are running into special need / need to complete a specific job. Until you run into that - don't bother. you will end up with a lot of stuff which you won't find any use for.

Especially don't buy a "one time" - special tool, unless you are expecting to use it a lot.

We made a lot of our own back in the day, like a steering wheel locking detent compressor tool before they were released to the trade. Others were made as needed, because I could not see spending tons of cash for something which would not be used more than a few times.

Going thru a locksmith supply catalog is like going thru a toy catalog before Christmas. You want everything you see. Break that down into that you will need based on what you are working on. Don't buy a tool based on speculation that you MIGHT need them. Almost everything you see can be worked on with regular tools, and some "work around" methods. Only after you have done the work around a few times and expect that you will need to do this again, then buy the special tool, spend the money and make the investment in your business.

Always look for the "return on the investment" in anything you buy for any trade.

Sinifar

[WELSHY83]

Thank you for your help. The course am doing is a four day opening course and a 1 day fitting course. Am concerned that the tools he offers for sale at the end of the course are a con or are the essential tools. Ia m trying to put a list together to stock my van to be able to attend any domestic or commercial lock. Plus deciding on makes is hard ? I am worried that what the course instructor has to be take as gospel.... any advice is welcome.

[Sinifar]

As this is UK, I really don't what else to offer - if you are looking at a car opening class, I am not sure what is used in the UK, or for that matter what your cars look like, as in how to get into one. The best recourse would be to see what they are offering, and go from there. I expect judging from what we have in the states, you will need some kind of "long reach" tool and a window jack. Either an inflatable or screw type. Beyond that it is anyone's guess. Mostly you should not spend over $125.00 to $175.00 (US) for a "basic opening set" - maybe a bit more.

AS far as "fitting" -- I would need more explanation as to what you are fitting.

You should be looking at some kind of course in lock work, such as pinning locks, identifying keys, cutting keys, and various lock types. How to service them, and how to take them apart. Installation of locks can be complex, depending on what type you are installing.

Sinifar