Recommendations on Locksmith Home Courses

[ddknson]

I'm new here and am considering sending away for either the Foley-Belsaw course or the Assured Locksmith Training.
The F-B course is listed as $749 with a F-B key duplicator 200-A.
The Assured course is listed at $1055 with a Speedex key duplicator.
Does anyone know which would be the better course for the money and which key duplicator is better?
I am serious about learning locksmithing and want to start out correctly.
Any advice on these 2 programs or others you know about would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Doug

[Chucklz]

In the US at least, apprenticeship seems like the way to go. I have not heard anyone say anything especially flattering about the FB course after spending about two weeks of work in a shop. www.locksmithtraining.com has probably as much information as you would get in these courses. I would say to become an apprentice, join ALOA, and get a key machine and lots of good tools for less than the price of these courses.

[Eyes_Only]

They both seem like a good school. but im gonna go with foley-belsaw cos you dont have to pay like $100-$200 extra to get a key meachine. plus they cover advanced subjects like alarms and such.

[Varjeal]

With correspondence course, I would suggest F-B just because it is cheaper. It will give you a good starting place so that, should you choose to continue, you will be better informed on what direction your locksmith career will take.

Another important consideration is that no course offers everything you need to know. They are like tools, they "add" to your knowledge base. Your best bet is to take a correspondence course, then join an association and start saving your money to take courses that you are interested in.

Lots of people (and not a few locksmiths) make derogatory remarks about how "thin" correspondence courses are material wise but I say this,

You're better off to spend the money on a correspondence course and find out you don't like it than to join an association, start taking school/training, which is a lot more money, and find out you don't like it.

Take your time with the course, absorb all the info you can, and start collecting info like crazy 'cause you can't remember it all and you'll never know when you need it.

[Areomyst]

G'day sir,

A couple of us here on lp101 have just started the F-B course. If you like you can see more info here: viewtopic.php?t=1073. Personally, I am very happy with my choice to go with Foley-Belsaw, and can't wait for my second set of lessons to come in!

~Josh

[Eyes_Only]

Another important consideration is that no course offers everything you need to know. They are like tools, they "add" to your knowledge base. Your best bet is to take a correspondence course, then join an association and start saving your money to take courses that you are interested in.

You can join a locksmith association after you finish a correspondence course? how do you do that? What assoiciations?

[Varjeal]

Most (probably all actually) have ALOA recognized Chapters. Ask your local locksmith, or look up the ALOA on the 'net and they should have a list, or at least a phone number, to one near you.

[randmguy]

I would also go with the FB course and I would further suggest a subscription to the National Locksmith. They have a fairly wide selection of instructional materials available and the prices aren't too high. The FB key machine is fairly cheap but if you decide to go into the trade full time you will be looking for something better anyway or buying your way into a shop with more tools.

[davidgjr]

I would think Locksmiths will probably be more willing to give you an apprenticeship also if you have a correspondence course under your belt. I am two thirds of the way thru Foley Belsaw and am happy with the course so far. Remember it is a BASIC course though. They have a catalog with a ton of additional information, such as books and videos to help you along. I am going to wait until I am done with the course and am confident with my picking and impressioning skills before I go talking about an apprenticeship with a locksmith. At least he will know you are serious about it, if you have some sort of training behind you. Also the course is mapped out. If you just buy a bunch of tools and go for it, you may get frustrated. I dont know I am just thinking out loud though. The pros on this board may know a better route to take to help you along.

[Eyes_Only]

Well with the ALOA organization you need to have 2 referals from a security industry or professional to apply for the membership, something I dont have unfortunately