Any good?

[toomush2drink]

Well for ages ive banged on about how locksmithing isnt just about opening locks and now someone has posted the reality of the trade.
Its good to see someone going around with open eyes and not believing all the crap the training companies put out about it being easy money.

[wizardofoz]

Hi All,
Newbie here - although I have been reading a LOT on this forum which is excellent.
I have been looking around for a few months at various courses being offered.
I have some which look good - others not so good.
I have sent off for course syllabus's (syllabi?!) and DVD's etc and received some good ones and not so good ones.
This is the longest course I have found on the net - 3 weeks. And you can then add bits on.
When you look at the prices for the 2 day courses, this seems a very fair price. Accom included too.

What do y'all think?

http://www.sas-locks-and-training.co.uk/index.html

And they are working with an organisation who are looking to provide a natioanally recognised qualification.

Obviously, I have looked at the MLA course...but as someone else said on here, it doesn't even teach picking in 5 days.

[freakparade3]

What do y'all think?
Obviously, I have looked at the MLA course...but as someone else said on here, it doesn't even teach picking in 5 days.

What are your goals from taking a course? If you just want to learn to pick locks save your money and become an active member of this site, you will learn far more here than it a few hours of instruction by a "professional".

If your aim is to become a locksmith it cannot be learned in a 2 week or less course. You will learn only the basics and not enough to make an honest living as a locksmith.

freakparade3

[lockpicker69]

yes i think we should point all wanabe locksmiths to patricks post ie standing behind a counter for hours at a time getting bored ect ect.

[wizardofoz]

Hi Freakparade3 and lockpicker69,
As others have said, a course does not make a locksmith.
I am looking at all the courses on offer in the UK as I need to get a good basic ground knowledge in place over as wide a spectrum as possible in as short a space of time as possible! Not just lock picking, but lock fitting, field training etc etc etc.
All I was looking for was for others who have done various courses and what they thought about the one I posted above as it seems from the website that it is the most comprehensive out there.
I am waiting for the syllabus to arrive in the post to detail all the course and I will post further info on it.

Cheers.

[wizardofoz]

What do y'all think?
Obviously, I have looked at the MLA course...but as someone else said on here, it doesn't even teach picking in 5 days.

What are your goals from taking a course? If you just want to learn to pick locks save your money and become an active member of this site, you will learn far more here than it a few hours of instruction by a "professional".

If your aim is to become a locksmith it cannot be learned in a 2 week or less course. You will learn only the basics and not enough to make an honest living as a locksmith.

freakparade3

I am becoming an active member of this site as it seems to be a bottomless pit of knowledge!
What's happened to Locksmith101 site....or is it all integrated on here now?

[Dean W]

I have done a couple of courses. I first did the Anvil course at a little short of 2k. What a disapointment!! Save your money. I have since done several courses with justlocks. They have been really good and worth the cash, as you can do individual day course at £180 or different modules.

I also wrote to around 30 locksmiths in a 25 mile radius asking if could accompany them at no expense to them to learn about the trade. I got one taker, as they naturally dont want to train up competition. My one taker has been brill and I continue to accompany him as and when I can to develop further.

The MLA course in the UK, is a good start and may open a few doors to you if you do the general the openers course, but there is a lot to learn, not just how dio I pick a cylinder. No 2 jobs are the same. Its great.

Good luck.