Thinking about getting into locksmithing

by **dakine** » 25 Dec 2005 4:32

I just graduated high school and I am thing about getting into locksmithing.I have a pick and have very little knowlege on picking locks.
I am wondering is locksmithing a good career?
How much time does it take to learn?
What is the average yearly pay for a locksmith?
How long will it take to earn over minimum wage?
Is there is the workfild in need of licenced locksmiths?
Would you recommend getting into locksimthing?
Thanks

by **prim** » 25 Dec 2005 6:28

Hi and welcome to 101

There is a lot more to locksmithing than picking.

Picking is just the tip of the iceberg, engineering and diy skills are an advantage.

All the question you have asked can be found here by using the search button.

by **Shrub** » 25 Dec 2005 9:29

If you fill ut your location in your profile we could answer you better but basically you never really learn everything only the skills to overcome problems when they arise, wages depend on how hard you work, you will need training to a decent standard, you need at least Â£15k to start up or the equivilent to wherever you live, you cant start on a budget.

by **dakine** » 25 Dec 2005 15:25

I live in Honolulu,Hawaii as far as I know there arn't any schools heres but I found the number for the Hawaii ALOA.I was looking to work for a company instead of starting up a business.

by **vector40** » 25 Dec 2005 16:04

A lot of full-time, full-service locksmiths seem to tell you frankly they're not sure if they'd recommend going into the profession :-D

Hard work, some tough times, etc.

Probably better than a lot of things, though.

by **Raccoon** » 27 Dec 2005 13:51

I'm starting my own locksmithing service. I can tell you from personal experience that there is no need for $15,000 to start your own business. I started with as little as $250 dollars before I got my first customer, and I got that customer through word of mouth because I've told all my friends about my business.

In the US, there is no certification or licensing of any kind, except within a few of the major cities. In Hawaii, I can only assume there is a high demand for locksmiths and no red-tape to worry about. Just apply for a Small Business License at your local village hall, and BOOM, you're a genuine Locksmith.

No, lock-picking is not everything there is to lock-smithing, but it IS the meat-and-potatoes of the profession. Most lockout services charge from $35 to $65 and as high as $99 to help out a customer in distress, because they locked their keys in their car or in their home. In Hawaii, you get a crapload of tourists, and I'm sure MAY of them lock the keys in their rental car. You could easily earn a fortune on this. Get in with Triple-A and give your business card to all the rental companies, and you should be set.

Also see about getting a local cellphone with the number (xxx) xxx-LOCK. I was told customers eat this up, so I did it myself. I hope this helps.

by **pinky** » 27 Dec 2005 15:24

just apply for a licence, and your a genuine locksmith!!!
That is an insult to the art and to the proffession you claim to have joined and is not sound advice to give any industry hopefull!

You are obviously not a locksmith, otherwise you would be telling hopefulls of the years of practice, the years of study and learning involved, instead you tell all that for $250 and a local licence, they are a genuine locksmith !

Trust me this doesnt come close!!!!!

by **Raccoon** » 27 Dec 2005 16:23

I do this to defray the elitist stigma that seems to be associated with becoming a locksmith. To "become" a locksmith, you need only skill and the change in your pocket. We should not be dashing dreams with such exaggerated financial and legal hurtles that simply do not exist. Not in the US anyway.

In my opinion, everyone who posts here is a locksmith. It's not a sacred right or a regulated trade. Anyone who puts an ounce of effort into learning how locks works, can bare the title. Experience and wisdom are natural side-effects of becoming a locksmith.

by **pinky** » 27 Dec 2005 16:39

if you believe that one is a locksmith simply by reading posts on a website, spending a bit of looses change then you obviously have no interest in the art or the trade, as no trade .

Maybe we should all call ourselves a doctor as long as we can put a band aid on!

If you believe that that is all it takes to be a locksmith then you are deluded, you obviously have no idea at all of what it takes to earn such a title or of how complex the industry and the art really is.

If this is your thinking, then sadly you are no more than part of the problem within industry, im sure that you would not like an underskilled mechanic repairing your car, or a guy whos read a medical book performing surgery upon you, but feel you have the right to call yourself a locksmith because you have learnt to pick a lock or fit a lock.

Like it or not, call yourself what you will, but you are not a locksmith, no where near, i would hope your are investing in the tooling and studying to become a locksmith, rather than adopting the name to fleece the unsuspecting customer who believes that they are employing a real locksmith.

I for one find your total disregard for a proud profession to be both insulting and obscene , better to invest properly in your tools, stock , advertising and training, learn your trade properly, rather than set up to be another parasite in an industry that was once worth being a part of and will again i hope once all parasites have been removed from it.

by **Raccoon** » 27 Dec 2005 16:51

Whatever dude. I hope for the sake of your high horse that you take off the elevator shoes. You are definitely trying to over-compensate for something.

My advice to the original poster. Spend some money on basic tools and car opening kits for now. You don't need to take out a second mortgage in order to buy a truck stocked with the finest locksmithing equipment money can buy. Buy only what you need, open a few car doors, and allow your business to grow at a sane and steady rate. Most businesses fail due to over spending, so spend no more than you can afford. Learn what you can with the tools you do afford, and limit your business to what you are currently capable of. As far as working for someone else's business, that option usually does not exist. But check your Yellow Pages anyway.

To Pinky. Happy Holidays.

by **Badmonkey005** » 27 Dec 2005 16:56

I think pinky is 100% right. I have a few picks, and I can pick a standard lock with no security pins, which is more than I can say for 99.9% of the people in my town. Does that make me a locksmith? Hell no, not even close, doesn't even skim the top. I wouldn't dare discrace the name of "locksmith" by calling myself one. It doesn't matter how many locks you have succesfully opened for people, there is no way to become a real locksmith without spending years practicing and learning the trade. I would also bet that most of the locksmiths here had an aprentaceship at one point or another before they became a locksmith.

Shit man how could you disrespect the people who spend hours on this forum helping people like me?

by **Raccoon** » 27 Dec 2005 17:14

Technically speaking, you are not a true locksmith until you fabricate your own locks. After all, to "smith" is to "make".

Good luck.

by **Badmonkey005** » 27 Dec 2005 17:23

See, normally I would ignore what you just said, but you're a dick so I decided to look it up.

Source: Dictionary.com

Third definition of "smith"

One who makes or works at something specified. Often used in combination: a locksmith; a wordsmith.

Merry Christmas

by **pinky** » 27 Dec 2005 17:33

but parasites believe it fine to spend their loose change on a few picks, advertise themselves as locksmiths learning their trade by trashing doors and locks, and of course calling themselves locksmiths so charging locksmiths rates.
Parasite is too nice a word for the low lifes that trade as locksmiths in this way.

i dont need a high horse, nor do i need to compensate, but this is a typical con mans defense.

If you are serious about getting into the industry as a locksmith, then do so properly, become a locksmith not a parasite. your loose change would not even cover your liability insurance to cover the inevitable damage you will cause to your customers locks,doors and cars , though most parasites dont even give this simple recourse to their customers prefering to trade without such insurances.

Fact, more locksmith hopefulls go bust each year through inadequate investment, knowledge and training , overspending foolishly is a road to ruin also, anyone wishing to set up as a locksmith needs to properly research their market their business plan and invest and set up properly, to listen to such idiotic and foolhardy advice as given by racoon is a sure fire road to ruin and to the court room.

To you racoon, if you believe your own advice then im sorry but you are a fool and if trading in this manner you are a crook and a parasite to boot, im only glad you are not part of the uk problem, and those with such morals should not be allowed to defile the name of locksmith, you obviously are not one nor are you a dedicated hobbiest .

by **Badmonkey005** » 27 Dec 2005 17:53

hoorah

Thinking about getting into locksmithing

Thinking about getting into locksmithing

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