Do you keep your failures?

[Engineer]

I know I am leaving myself open to accusations of unprofessionalism here, but I will confess anyway...

Sometimes you get called out to open a padlock and it's it's a cheap Chinese-made one. I've actually bought one in a £1 shop that is 4" and weighs about 1.5lbs. It is also a pig to pick. That is where the problem lies though. I can pick the more expensive brands, but some of these really cheap ones are so difficult, that they take an embassingly long time to pick if you've never come across that sort before.

Time is money on a job and so rarther than take a long time to remove something so cheap, I tend to use bolt cutters or an angle grinder to remove the lock. I know some say this is unprofessional, but it is cheaper for my customer. I also use the biggest bolt cutters or angle grinder you can get, so it still looks as professional as possible for the customer.

This brings me to my main point though. I always ask the customer if I can keep the destroyed lock (I only ever ruin the lock). I keep them all in a box and come back to them whenever time is slack and try to work out how to pick that type in the future. I try to learn as much as I can from every one I've failed to open. Some are simple warded locks, but no picks will fit them. Others do have cylinders, but are pick-resistant for other reasons.

I wondered if others kept their failures to return to, so that one day they will beat them? Sometimes, I do feel when I finally get one to open, that I should start a board I can mount all my past failures on - Like hunting trophies, with the date underneath when I finally got it to open! In actual fact, I move them to a different box and re-pick them occasionally. Just to make sure I don't lose the "knack" for that model.

[cppdungeon]

I dont keep failures, but i do keep used locks that i buy that i havent been able to pick. Its similar, i suppose. i also have some of those really terrible chinese locks that barely open with the key...but that idea about mounting them like trophies i have considered, and if i ever get any of these locks picked, i might mount them.

[Eyes_Only]

I keep both. My failures so I can use it to learn from in a future date and even my success cos, well......kind of a habit from when I was doing this as a hobby only. But if I can fit a key to it I can sell it or something too I suppose to my cheap customers who doesn't deserve any better.

[sipple]

i keep both also, someday i can make a collection and put it on a shelf in my living room or something

[LAMBES LOCKS]

I am new to locksmithing so I keep both. I then strip the lock to find why I couldn't open it then work out how to open it. Or I just use them for picking practice.

[Kyes]

I know I am leaving myself open to accusations of unprofessionalism here, but I will confess anyway...

Time is money on a job and so rarther than take a long time to remove something so cheap, I tend to use bolt cutters or an angle grinder to remove the lock. I know some say this is unprofessional, but it is cheaper for my customer. I also use the biggest bolt cutters or angle grinder you can get, so it still looks as professional as possible for the customer.

I am not a locksmith (yet), but I do preform service work. If I can save my customer money while putting more money in my pocket by using my time better, That sir is professional in any world. I would be Very unhappy to pay a man $40 to open lock I only spent $2.50 on in the first place. infact I would likely cut it off my self unless it was an issue of replacing a dozen or so keys for people with access that I might not be able to get a key to for a few days.

As for keeping locks I don't Only because I am not a professional and the few locks I have opened (at work I need to break into competitors alarm boxes to "take over" their system from time to time.) I have used the Bump method or used a worn out Tech. screwdriver as a rake. every time I have done this the lock has been damaged beyond repair. They are just cheap 4 pin cam locks.


And before it gets suggested that I am using my powers for evil, The equipment I am accessing has [u]ALWAYS[/u] been bought out by the customer before I access the alarm system and I am required to replace the lock with one standard to my company anyway, so techs less adept at "keyless entry" can access the alarm panel in the future.

[chev49]

And I thought I was the only one that had trouble with some of the locks made in china. Some hardly work with their own key...

[prag]

I too ask my clients if I can keep the old locks. I have acquired Mortice 5,4,3,2 lever locks. Quicksets, safe locks, padlocks, security double locks, different cylinders etc.

This might be unethical but we have two sub economical housing projects not to far from where we work. Some locks are still in good order and what I would do is service the locks, rekey and resell these locks at a fraction of what it would cost. These poor people would otherwise not afford these locks.

Am I wrong to do.

I hope this practice will not be frowned upon but I am helping some people. Other locks I keep for practice.

[hillel]

there are plenty of thrift shops around, nothing wrong with selling used stuff, as long as your not selling it as new.

[Engineer]

Prag, I do not think you are doing anything wrong, infact I think you are doing a lot of good, allowing people to have better security than they could afford otherwise.

I understand the situation in parts of S.A. and anything that can improve safety is a good thing, after all, it is not like you are taking income from other locksmiths. These are people who could not afford these locks otherwise AND you are helping to make an income for yourself. Not only that, but we are always being encouraged to recycle these days as well, so I personally think it is an admirable thing you are doing. Well done and good luck!