European hardware -lever locks, profile cylinders specific for European locks. European lock picks and European locks.
by Shrub » 7 Jan 2006 11:16
Ford, Pah
For all the engine roblems i would rather have a vito 
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Shrub
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by SteveW » 7 Jan 2006 11:46
Youe entitled to your opinion, but its better than a VW camper with no windows
But each to their own 
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by The Pindropper » 7 Jan 2006 12:25
What would you guys suggest as the best size of van? I am starting up soon and offering a domestic / commercial service, I fancied getting a Vitto but open to suggestions, thanks G.
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by Shrub » 7 Jan 2006 12:44
At least i can fold the bunks down and cook me brekky
Size i dont know it depends on you and what service you offer, somthing less than 3.5 ton will get you insurance on a plg policy and also mot'd at a normal station.
I have couboards and draws in my van with work benches along the top and can still get doors etc in, i also have a decent roof rack but if your just lugging tools around a small van will do even the boot of your car if your only doing lockouts, it all depends, once you get a big van you suddenly become the target f all your freinds and family everytime a sofa needs moving or rubbish needs to be taken to the tip and you need a big engine to get them to move anywhere in a hurry,
A lot favour the kango style ones and things like cars with solid rear windows are used often as well with places like royal mail etc selling fiesta and escort vans off at next to nothing a lot go down that route.
Decide what your carrying and make your choice on that, if your buying new look carefully at the warrentry etc and what they cover, most arent worth the paper they are written on, i was all for getting a vito but everyone i spoke to had majour probs with them and if anything goes wrong 9 times out of 10 the engine has to come out also if your heater plugs fail they just swap the engine as its just as cheap!!!
There was a thread last year on what vans we all drive, i was in an accident in mine coming back from the MLA shoiw at the G-Mex and the other car was folded in 2 but mine just needed a new wing and indicator, i did the rest myself, in somthing like a transit you will need a whole new front end  but they do have better locks as standard but shite engines, vw parts are expensive and so are merc's at least with a transit anything goes wrong and youve got it repaired that day.
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by nhughz » 7 Jan 2006 13:24
I drive a ford transit connect swb lx and can't fault it.
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by The Pindropper » 7 Jan 2006 14:04
Thanks; I think I'll probably start with a small van.
Do you have contract work with the likes of ADT or other large security specialist be it access, key holding (any ideas actually what this involves) or repairs?
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The Pindropper
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by SteveW » 7 Jan 2006 14:13
The truth is the majority of vans on the market today are all pritty good,
Yes Shrub even the transporter!
To be honest i did nearly by a Transporter, but i prefered the Transits load space, and i just didnt like the gearstick on the dash set up.
Your van choice as Shrub said largly depends on what work you want to carry and do in the back. Ive got limited sapce at home so most of my work will be done in the van, so i wanted something bigger. If you are just doing lockouts you dont need to carry as much equipment, if you want to cut keys on site you need something bigger and so on and so on..
Try repining a cylinder in the dark on the back seat of a ford fiesta and see where you want to go from there 
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by toomush2drink » 7 Jan 2006 15:01
The tool i think i would miss a lot is my brain  . Im driving a citroen relay now as my citroen berlingo did used to struggle a bit on the hills with all the stock i carry.Ive fitted a false floor to the relay so its easy to store doors, 8x4 boards and a step ladder out of the way. As its fitted out with racking,split charge setup, a huge battery,inverter, key cutting machines and keys boards too it was worth getting something bigger. The only problem i have now is choosing the right carparks to park in as it height stops access to many. Ive found it a lot easier with more space to be honest and 2.5L engine get its all about ok overcoming the weight problem i had before (thats the stock and myself).Its amazing how much stuff you end up with in the van and the weight of it all, gonna make some custom boxes out of ply as the plastic ones keep giving up.
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by panalman » 7 Jan 2006 16:55
pcbear wrote:The one thing you would really miss if it was lost/stolen whatever?
Without a doubt my CB picks and my Multipick electric pick. Would never leave them or any tools in the back of a car over night. 
There is always a solution to a problem and a way in without destruction !!!!!
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by Rockford » 8 Jan 2006 5:16
The most used kit is probably my chisels and other lock fitting bits. This makes up most of my work. However on a value front - decoders, curtain picks, electric pick gun, drills - all top the list, and all leave the van at night.
On the van front, I also drive a Merc Vito, and have had no problems with it - that weren't my own making! I get it serviced by an independant, and use genuine merc parts - which you need to shop around for. As an example, I had the front coil springs recently replaced. Local garages, spares shops etc. were quoting upwards of £40-50 to supply (not fit) a single coil soring. When I approached Mercedes, they wanted........£15 + VAT !.
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by paul1982 » 16 Jan 2006 6:04
I would have to say my hands are my most important tool, without them me tools would be useless anyway 
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by NKT » 16 Jan 2006 13:51
Definately second that last one. It's me, & my brain.
I had a Union security today. Didn't quite hand-pick it, even with the Bogata, so then I tried the HPC, but it was a bit tight and didn't want to play. After about 20 minutes, I asked the guy if he knew of the master key. So I walked over the carpark, and got the landlord to open the door with the master!  Easy money.
I've got an old VW LT35, which I *really* have to tidy and sort out. I'm putting some big locks on it before I put the signage on it, mind! Brilliant for £475, even if the rust and red paint is starting to grow through from where it was sprayed...
As regards what to get for transport, let your budget be your guide! Factor in a few hundred for signage, another hundred at least for an immobiliser/alarm/aftermarket lock upgrades, and several hundred to £1500 for insurance. For me, that left the cheapest van in the place. Earns its keep, though!
Edit: Oh, go on then. At the moment, it's my Bogata rakes, or my powerscrewdriver/drill, earnings wise. My PC is the top expensive lockpicking tool, though. This place is worth a fortune, as are the other sites I visit.
Loading pithy, witty comment in 3... 2... 1...
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by violentrobot » 1 Feb 2006 13:25
pcbear wrote:The one thing you would really miss if it was lost/stolen whatever?
my tension wrenches, definately. no pick is any good without one...
(well maybe a tubular pick is) 
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by quicklocks » 1 Feb 2006 15:40
my cb picks and the mica and my hand majestic hand set. i work out my car at the moment as most of my work is lock outs and fittings so all the tools i need fit in but i never leave anything in it overnight even in my area where the crime rate is very very very low 
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