Just signed up for Foley-Belsaw locksmithing school...

by **bandito** » 14 Aug 2006 21:27

I think the F-B course is s great choice GSA_DENIED. I had a lot of fun with it. I don't know about a military discount, but if you are going to pay the tuition all at once then call them and ask for the best possible tuition. Good luck.

by **LockNewbie21** » 16 Aug 2006 16:56

I'm almost done and its okay but ia m far from impressed.

Taking this course will not make you a professional locksmith. The material is outdated. Although Lock picking and bypass is 5% of being a lockie its critical knowledge, which is not touched deep enough.

You'll find that most locks, Example's Tubular, SFIC, Emhart (although out of production i belive) schlage wafer, GM sidebar,ect. You will learn from these, some with balck and white pictures, but thats all. You don't get to have, or even look at one and send back while your learning.

Also not alot of people know that you have to pay the return shipping on all lessons which add's up if your on a budget.

I know people will want to knwo this, the lock picks.. you get three, no hook just a snake, a half ball, and a postal for levers. Oh and a peice of wire for a tension wrench(lever) and a normal tension wrench.

Also its not up to date. They really will (if oyur new) throw you for a loop as far as what you drill and what you can pick.

Your wholesale prices are more $ than on the internet.

Its an okay course, i would say for 400$ 5 years ago.

I will be certified, but without being on this site and practicing everything for more than a few months, you will be lost when you hit the field.

You will need be apprenticed for atleast a year.

So i give it 5/10 becuase its not bad, but they skimp a little.. okay alot. And there is not enugh training aids.

by **Ray_Air** » 21 Aug 2006 22:30

Minus wrote:Id have to agree from what ive seen the FB course is more a general intro into locksmithing, if your sole purpose is to learn how to do car lock outs then find a specialized course.

If you want to specialize in auto lock outs buy a automotive opening tool kit and get a Pro-Lok book. I once found a AAA lockout guide book for AAA emergency roadside assistance staff on Ebay. I practice opening all my vehicles I have had and never damaged a one.
Vehicles opened:
1999 Dakota - Slim Jim
2000 Bonneville SSEi - slide lock tool
2003 Oldsmobile Alero - inverted slide lock tool
2000 Dodge Stratus- Slim Jim
1986/89 Chevy Celebrity- MCOT tool
And a few more.....

by **MRPIT** » 19 Oct 2006 7:15

I have just started FB and im wating on my first lesson to come

by **Bud Wiser** » 19 Oct 2006 9:38

Your first 5 lessons are verrry easy. Don't let them fool you, they get better

by **btierney** » 22 Oct 2006 23:05

Alright.. After doing some research and reading this thread, I am going to sign up tomorrow. It really sounds like a good course for the price. I'll let you know how it goes.
-Brian

by **New-York-Locksmith** » 23 Oct 2006 7:29

LockNewbie21 wrote:I'm almost done and its okay but ia m far from impressed.

Taking this course will not make you a professional locksmith. The material is outdated. Although Lock picking and bypass is 5% of being a lockie its critical knowledge, which is not touched deep enough.

brother, no course in anything makes you professional - the only thing that makes you go pro - is real time experience...becoming a real locksmith is in no way about what school you learned the trade in- it's about how many locksmithing hours you have in you.
I say we should all go back to the old days - with the master and his apprentices.

by **lightfoot** » 25 Oct 2006 17:21

I just recieved lessons 21-25 and I'm having a blast with it. I'm learning alot that I think it will come hand down the road when I open my own shop. I intend to start out doing 24 hr auto openings and from what I learn here , F_B & a great book by Bill Phillips I think I have a great chance at success. just did my first job on a house combo deadbolt, and key -n-knob front door and back bought the locks for 12.95 each- sold them for 25.00 each and did the work for 40.00 Took me abt 45 minutes as I had some problems with old door frames that had been drilled wrong and from what I could tell many times over the years. The house was from the early 60's. The owners were thrilled with my work and promised to tell everybody who to see. I am also thinking abt offering a service that evauates home security and then gives written recommendations with discounts to the elderly on labor. I would love to hear some feedback fromyou guys including the elders here like Shrub & the other Gurus I have learned so much from. Thanks for any input.

by **Bud Wiser** » 25 Oct 2006 17:37

Home security is a great idea! And if you buy the supplies yourself wholesale and do the installation your looking at a decent mark-up too. FB has a course for security systems that deals with all the technical (boring) stuff in electronics. I've never been formally certified for this despite my electronics background and installations I have assisted in. I worked mostly as a front end man, consultant and sales manager, but what I know helped me greatly!

You will need to find out what the regulations are for security systems in your state if you do the installations. Many guidelines have to be met. Alternately you can call around and find a reliable security company that will do the install for you and provide monitoring too. You do the designing and place the orders.

I think covering security systems and locks provides a much more complete service. Don't over look saftey too! Fire, gas, and medical!

Good Luck!

by **ComTech** » 25 Oct 2006 17:58

If you're considering the Foley/Belsaw locksmith course, If you are will to pay the whole thing up front, you can get the course for $599.00.
You can also request that they send you the first 30 lessons and the key machine at one time.
I started the course at the end of June and having the first 30 lessons sent at the beginning saved a lot of time, instead of having to wait for the next lessons to come.
I completed the course in about 6 weeks.
Just information that might help someone!

by **dmux** » 25 Oct 2006 20:42

what all tools and things do they send you for the course, that is included in the 599.00?

by **ComTech** » 25 Oct 2006 21:00

You get a few basic items, 2 files, plug follower, plug holder, a few extra pins for rekeying. 2 or 3 picks, (cheap ones). The key machine is the big item, and with the very last lesson I got a pick pistol pick (snap gun).
All the practice locks have to be sent back for grading.
You also get a stick on sign and a few cards and a work order pad.
The only 2 things that are useful are the key machine and the pick gun.
All in all, its a pretty good basic course. the auto section is a little dated, and the alarm section is very dated.
Most of the suppliers on the internet will sell to you once you get your student ID. (bump keys and pick guns, etc)
The course will give you a pretty good understanding of the different types of locks.
Hope this helps!

by **ldnlksmth** » 3 Nov 2006 16:07

mostly what I got out of the course (already had 3 years in the field) is credibility with suppliers. I did learn about stuff I don't see everyday (call it dated, but I did learn) and again, with the diploma, I'm more credible than just a 'guy who calls himself a locksmith and has a flashy resume'.

by **petronus** » 3 Nov 2006 20:14

Just became manager of a couple of apartment complexes so finally have the excuse I need to give this a go. Will definitely help with my bottom line if I can do the stuff myself. The extra knowledge and an occasional few bucks on the side will be nice too!

Can't remember for sure how I wound up at Lock Picking 101, but was definitely a nice find. The insight into the FB course has been very helpful and the tips on bargaining for the lower tuition are appreciated.

I'm not really seeking to make this a new career, just to get smarted up and make life easier, and maybe help out some folks on the way.

Don't think I'll get the stuff till later in the month, but if anyone gives a hoot, I'll post once I get going.

Til then...

by **ComTech** » 3 Nov 2006 21:39

petronus
The foley/belsaw course should help you learn to do what you want.
It sounds like you may need to rekey your locks, or make your own keys.
The key machine is good for that type use. If you were going pro, then you would need heaver built machines.
You can learn a lot on this site, just keep searching and reading. I've been reading here for several months and I learn something new almost everytime I get on here.

Welcome to the site.

Just signed up for Foley-Belsaw locksmithing school...

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