learning levers best first tool to buy?

[natastna2]

Hi I have a part time job and am intending to learn all the skills of a locksmith over the next year or so as a hobby, I am fairly confident with most pin tumblers and wish to start learning levers. I was hoping some of you kind professionals could tell me which pick or picks I should buy first? I'm thinking of the RB medical 2 in 1s and the Chris Belcher universal 5 and 7 g picks but i am unsure of which ones woudl be the best to start learning? Thanks alot for the answers and thanks for the forum! Ant.

pS please could you also relate the pick type you would recommend to a couple of locks that I could practice on. Thanks. Ant.

[lockey1963]

start with basic 2 in 1 picks on basic 3 and 5 lever locks, master these and gain an understanding for them, then move on to curtain locks, there are many picks available and everyone will have their own opinion on which is the best to kick off with, as all will prefer the tool they are most used to and most proficient with.
To really understand levers and curtain locks, read the posts on making your own curtain pick from a key blank, a far cheaper way to learn it and skillfull too, from there you may find which style of curtain pick suits you most, as we all prefer different tools.

[natastna2]

Got a reply from RB medical today saying this :

Our policy is to initially request 2 references (purely for security purposes) before we supply lock tools to new customers. These references can include:

MLA membership

Training Reference

Reference from other locktool suppliers

So my question is, is there any way to get hold of high quality 2 in 1 picks without being able to prove any of the above as I am only a hobby picker. I don't really want to join the MLA as it is around 150 pounds, i have no formal training and no reference from a locktool supplier because i have no references from locktools suppliers

[Shrub]

Well if your not a lockie you cant buy lockie tools and rightly so,

As said make your own by following the guides in the european section,

Non curtained locks are easier and you use 2 in 1's for those, as said start there,

[toomush2drink]

Got a reply from RB medical today saying this :

Our policy is to initially request 2 references (purely for security purposes) before we supply lock tools to new customers. These references can include:

MLA membership

Training Reference

Reference from other locktool suppliers

So my question is, is there any way to get hold of high quality 2 in 1 picks without being able to prove any of the above as I am only a hobby picker. I don't really want to join the MLA as it is around 150 pounds, i have no formal training and no reference from a locktool supplier because i have no references from locktools suppliers

Well as someone who has admited to trading as a locksmith in other threads with no business plan at all it looks like you may have come unstuck before you start. Now do you understand why we questioned what you were doing ?( simple cylinders on internal doors only)You have no formal training yet advertise as a locksmith so no wonder you cant get the tools you need to trade.

[Romstar]

Tell them the bloody truth.

You are just getting started, you are teaching yourself with various texts and what you find on the internet, and you have no contacts from other lockies or suppliers as you are just getting started.

Romstar

[crazyman]

Only two places that come to mind that sell lever picking tools to non-locksmiths are

Devonlocks.com and lockpicking101.co.uk

Good luck trying to find anywhere better

[toomush2drink]

Remember this is the guy who thinks locksmiths who charge the proper rate are ripping people off. Well locksmiths who charge the proper rate can afford the proper tools and afford to join an organisation.

[lockey1963]

well in one post a part time internal door lockie, in another asking for locksmiths to sub to them, and in another a hobby picker with a part time job wanting to buy some tools ??

but you had set up your business properly for tax purposes and business purposes, im sure if you prove you are the trading internal door lockie you claimed, then you could buy tools from suppliers.

if all a porky pie then your only choice is to pay treble with tradenet www.locksmith-tools.co.uk or pay over top with devon locks or this sites sponsor, as no locksmith or wholesaler will sell to you.

[natastna2]

I do admit I made a mistake and now I am merely going to bea hobby picker for at least another 6 months while i learn the trade and buy the tools, stdowns.co.uk seem to sell the rb medical 2 in 1s and im not sure you have to be a lockie to buy from there. It is 70 quid for the 6g which he says will also fit 5/5.5g and another 70 for the 7g, is this a reasonable price or is it massively inflated as he is selling to non-lockies. Thanks ANt.

[natastna2]

Hi, I didn't say i thought lockmsiths who charge the "proper" rate were ripping people off I just decided that even with the cost of the tools I would still be able to charge a lot less than everyone else. It is immaterial now as I'm not going to be trading for a quite a few months. I was reading another thread which stated that people charge 40 quid just to ring the doorbell, and then on top of that you have the labour costs, and on top of that I read that it was standard to add 60 percent to the cost of the lock which seemed slightly harsh to me as they have already paid you 40 quid just to turn up. But i suppose thats what a highly-skilled professional can charge for hiring out his skill and experience. I was just saying I would do things differently not that people were ripping other people off.

[UWSDWF]

I think the moral of the story is the kid figured out he was wrong... he's admitted it and now wants to learn more... Help him find some lever picks guys....

natasna2.. try making your own there are a few stickies in this section to learn yeah....

Cheers

[rohi]

Hey UWS, you're not turning into a softy, are you?

If i had any knowlidge about those locks, i would gladly be of help but the lever locks i come across are easily opened with a bikespoke, so no expirience with 2in1 tools.

Ronald

[Rockford]

The prices stated are slightly more than a trading lockie will buy for, but unless you can prove trading status - It's unlikely you'll get a trade account. Take look at the Souber versions, as these are cheaper, but not as well made. If you manage to source one - be gentle with it. You don't need a lot of pressure.

[lockey1963]

the price is only slightly over, so good considering the other sellers available, souber are cheaper but will last 10% of the time an rb one wil.