Anyone purchase from bump-j.com?

[aka.decoy]

Sucessfully made some bump keys , but would like a nice set. Looking at bumpkey.us, but also found bump-j.com. They have a larger set for the same price as bumpkey.us. Just letting everyone know of the lower price, but also asking if anyone has had any problems with them in the past. Thanks!

[Shib]

I purchased a set of depth keys from a seller online.. they work pretty good, just need to be filed a little when you get them.. my sc1 worked on my practice lock right outa the box..

[bcameron]

I can't believe...well yeah I can that you can buy bump keys online. Along with a manual on how to use them and it takes no kind of locksmith license or affiliation with any locksmith organization to buy them. Brutal.

[nostromo]

You like the feel when the lock pops open when you hit the bump key?

You really, really ought to try some picking . . . .

[aka.decoy]

Hold on there buddy, I do have picks. I prefer the satisfaction of defeating the mechanism over beating a key like a neanderthal any day. I take pride in the skills necessary to pick a lock.

However, I'm actually looking into locksmithing as possibly more than just a hobby. I've helped friends and family out before, and picking a lock takes me anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes. Sometimes it takes even longer, I'll be honest -- I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be skill-wise.

Therefore I am simply looking into all the possibilites available, and in those cases, the faster the better. Among the re-keying kits, key machines, decoders, key racks, shims, by-pass tools and such, bump keys were just another thing I was hoping to add to my arsenal. What better way to emulate locksmiths I've spoken to than to obtain all the same tools?

Hopefully I don't get a slew of posts yelling at me for picking locks in use. BUT KEEP IN MIND -- most of the time, the alternative was a bolt cutter or broken door

[nostromo]

Not poking, trying to be encouraging, actually
Maybe I shoulda put smilies in there to begin with?

Have you had some thoughts on (here comes the pun) 'breaking' into the business? I had gone to every locksmith in downtown Cleveland with my shiny new Locksmith Correspondence Course certificate, and fortunately, there were plenty of locksmiths in town that had a lot of business. How is that nowadays? I visited a family shop in Panama City and chatted for awhile. Seems there were two other shops in town that had gone out of business- WALMART and cheap keymachines (another pun comng) 'cut' into that meat and potatoes business, and the 'PopALock' franchises and their splash of advertising took out auto lockouts. They seemed to be making it OK with safe work, tho.

WHen you get into it as a Locksmtih, bump keys might be a good segue into selling higher security locks- when servicing a lockout. When they see how FAST their door can get bumped they are probably prime for hearing about bump proof pins, etc. Lockpicks they probably have never seen and also assume are controlled. But keys and a file they see almost everywhere.

[nostromo]

Whups, I meant 'HOW' you were gonna break into the business.

[aka.decoy]

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so defensive. Thanks for the great tips.

I've been looking at some online and local courses. Most of them cost more than I can invest at the moment, or conflict with my work schedule. Funny thing is, a few locksmiths i've spoken to said my state required no licence for certain operations. But I don't necessarily believe them. I need to speak to more businesses, re-investigate statutes, etc.... stuff I've just gotta get around to doing myself.

I have kinda given it some thought, but I'm not sure if I could make it conform to my family & current situation. In the past, I have tried some small business, and it was fun. Make it or not, it was a great experience. But recently, I've been fortunate enough to land a great job. I've also added a wife and 2 kids since then.

Having these new variables makes me reluctant to jump full-time into anything new. Do you believe it's possible to practice locksmithing part-time? Or should they be on-call 24/7? Would it be an insult to ask businesses if it's possible to devote full-time effort, part-time availability?

[aka.decoy]

Do you believe it's possible to practice locksmithing part-time? Or should they be on-call 24/7? Would it be an insult to ask businesses if it's possible to devote full-time effort, part-time availability?

I just realized there's an entire section in the forums for "locksmith business". I'll search those posts before pursuing an answer. Sorry, and thanks!