Is anyone from Tasmania?

[Dragunov-21]

I think his name's trent, he's got dreads lol.

Yeah, I'm actually kinda sad that I'm going for the electrical... Locks and security really interest me, I find them fascinating, but the opportunity for diversifying and yes, the money, is pretty important for me...

But they are really great there, good people.

[globallockytoo]

I think his name's trent, he's got dreads lol.

Yeah, I'm actually kinda sad that I'm going for the electrical... Locks and security really interest me, I find them fascinating, but the opportunity for diversifying and yes, the money, is pretty important for me...

But they are really great there, good people.

If it's the same guy I'm thinking of....he used to work in Niddrie in Melbourne and I used to be his manager. He is a good bloke and a crackerjack locksmith. You could stand to learn a lot from him. loves his piss from memory

[Dragunov-21]

What do you reckon Jackson's attitude towards hobbyists is?

I kinda haven't mentioned anything to them other than an interest in "lock mechanisms", in case they figure I'm a delinquent and tell me where to stick my picks lol...

Anyway, I'll be calling them tomorrow about working casual, so fingers crossed...

[globallockytoo]

What do you reckon Jackson's attitude towards hobbyists is?

I kinda haven't mentioned anything to them other than an interest in "lock mechanisms", in case they figure I'm a delinquent and tell me where to stick my picks lol...

Anyway, I'll be calling them tomorrow about working casual, so fingers crossed...

That is a difficult question. If I had to make an uneducated guess...I would lump them with the majority of other locksmiths worldwide and suggest they would look disdainfully upon the hobbyist locksmith. Unlike USA and (it seems)UK, Australia doesnt have a large locksmith hobbyist community for the most part, probably because virtually all suppliers will not sell to anyone out of the trade. Kind of protexia. Usually a supplier will require a reference from a known locksmith or customer to verify that Joe Bloggs off the street is ethical and should be allowed access to tools.

On the other hand, some locksmiths kind of enjoy the fact that more often than not a hobbyist locksmith might first attempt a repair and totally screw it up requiring a professional to come and fix it properly, thereby enabling a higher cost sometimes.

Usually locksmiths prefer their prospective apprentices to have absolutely no experience with locks, even at hobby level. This way they can train them in their own method as what seems fit for their company not having to worry about retraining which sometimes can take longer and at a higher cost. Also, a partially trained hobbyist may discover that they are not happy with some of the training and decide to leave, wasting the locksmiths time in the first place.

[Dragunov-21]

Yeah, well like I said, the apprenticeship's off the agenda anyway, but I'm still hoping to be taken on as a casual, even just cutting keys or repinning or something, in any case, they didn't seem to be too bothered about my interest either way...

Oh, and are locksmiths usually willing to sell pins/springs/other repinning stuff to the public?

[globallockytoo]

Again, many locksmiths have different attitudes on that too. Most would prefer not to sell parts like pins springs etc IMHO

the cost of pins is incredibly inexpensive from the supplier, although as most suppliers wont sell to the general public, some locksmiths will charge a massive markup on those parts.

I remember working for one shiester years ago who would charge $15.00 to rekey a cylinder in shop...but ask $50.00 if customer requested parts only.

[lunchb0x]

I remember working for one shiester years ago who would charge $15.00 to rekey a cylinder in shop...but ask $50.00 if customer requested parts only.

I think I know where your talking about

[lunchb0x]

I remember working for one shiester years ago who would charge $15.00 to rekey a cylinder in shop...but ask $50.00 if customer requested parts only.

I think I know where your talking about

[greyman]

What do you reckon Jackson's attitude towards hobbyists is?
...

That is a difficult question. If I had to make an uneducated guess...I would lump them with the majority of other locksmiths worldwide and suggest they would look disdainfully upon the hobbyist locksmith. Unlike USA and (it seems)UK, Australia doesnt have a large locksmith hobbyist community for the most part, probably because virtually all suppliers will not sell to anyone out of the trade. Kind of protexia. Usually a supplier will require a reference from a known locksmith or customer to verify that Joe Bloggs off the street is ethical and should be allowed access to tools.

On the other hand, some locksmiths kind of enjoy the fact that more often than not a hobbyist locksmith might first attempt a repair and totally screw it up requiring a professional to come and fix it properly, thereby enabling a higher cost sometimes.

Usually locksmiths prefer their prospective apprentices to have absolutely no experience with locks, even at hobby level. This way they can train them in their own method as what seems fit for their company not having to worry about retraining which sometimes can take longer and at a higher cost. Also, a partially trained hobbyist may discover that they are not happy with some of the training and decide to leave, wasting the locksmiths time in the first place.

These are some good points. Since I'm not in the trade but have talked to many locksmiths, I feel I can add my two bob to this. I can say that the locksmiths I've talked to in Australia (Melbourne and Sydney) are a masonic club who shun outsiders, probably with (some) good reason. However, this makes it hard when you have a genuine interest as a hobbyist. Unlike other hobbies, unless you are in the trade, you do not have access to most of the tools and large chunks of information that trade people get. I suppose this is why for many years there have not been that many hobbyists, at least in Australia. The other point to note is that there is not much of a collectors' scene in OZ, due to the limited Western history of the place, there just aren't that many interesting/old locks floating around (compared with US, UK, EU). Any interesting items are rapidly snatched up by practising lockies, leaving little left for hobbyists. Have a look on Australian ebay and you'll see the pitiful state of affairs, lock-wise.

Another point to note is that some locksmiths are interested in you inasmuch as you are a potential customer. That is, if you have a genuine interest, you are likely to want to buy locks off them.

Of the scores of locksmiths I have met in Australia, the ones who stand out the most as giving the hobbyist a fair go are ones that were involved in locksmithing education, i.e. who had taught or are currently teaching locksmithing. Another fellow I know is shunned by the mainstream LS community and was all too happy to speak to someone (myself) outside the profession.

I think that as long as you have genuine interest and are prepared to do the yards (that is, not be slack and just want to learn it all in one week off youtube), and you are persistent with your contacts in the locksmithing profession, you will eventually meet the kind of people who are prepared to help. Remember that most locksmiths are very busy people, often having several young employees under them to do the leg work. Try to pick a time when they are not too busy (i.e. no one else is in the shop).

Sorry if this is a bit off-topic, but I thought it fitted into the flow of things.

greyman

[Dragunov-21]

Well since the original topic kinda died due to lack of tasmanians, I wouldn't worry lol, and thanks for the suggestions...

Yet another aggravating thing about living in a "city" of 60,000 people lol... No special interest groups

[UWSDWF]

well then come to canada 90% of the population is a special interests group.....

[lunchb0x]

i will be in canada soon

[Dragunov-21]

i will be in canada soon

Cool, bring me back a present, like a Locksport community for tassie

[UWSDWF]

bring me an Aussie girl.... !

[Dragunov-21]

Can I traded in my girlfriend?

17, intelligent, attractive, low mileage.

Prospects to become international lawyer/auditor.

How many hobbyists does that net me?