Foley-Belsaw And Penn-Foster

[wolf_from_wv]

As long as they don't mind you having lockpicks and files, etc. in your personal gear.

[TurnerGOFP]

You can do the lessons while deployed. Really. Except for keymaking if you have no power source. All the stuff can fit in your footlocker if you WANT it to. Leave out the silly gear like kevlar and camelbacks if you need even more space.

I'm pretty sure I won't have enough space for power tools. I don't know about any other branch but in the Marine Corps you can't leave anything out for morning inspections. Beds made nice and tight and everything is secured. Also the Corps has upgraded to wall lockers now. The only place that has footlockers is boot camp.

They won't mind the picks and all the equipment as long as I'm enrolled in a locksmith course. If an officer found my picks right now I'd probably be in some trouble and/or suspected of being a thief.

[Martial]

You'd probably be alright man. Just keep a designated space for your tools, and work on them when you can. It's a way better use of time than getting shit faced or playing video games (especially when you're deployed).
Keep in mind though that you will pack all your gear if you get deployed, so it might not be advisable to carry a key cutting machine in your gear.

Lcpl Ennans

[Martial]

You'd probably be alright man. Just keep a designated space for your tools, and work on them when you can. It's a way better use of time than getting tanked or playing video games (especially when you're deployed).
Keep in mind though that you will pack all your gear if you get deployed, so it might not be advisable to carry a key cutting machine in your gear.

Lcpl Ennans

[TurnerGOFP]

I don't drink so i don't have to worry about wasting my money on that and I hardly ever play any sort of video game. The problem is I'm with LAR so I have to fit all my gear inside the lav. Not a lot of room for extra gear.

[wolf_from_wv]

I impressioned my first lock yesterday for a lesson.

[TurnerGOFP]

How long did it take you?

[wolf_from_wv]

I followed the directions to take the lock apart (5-pin) and put it back together with a pin in 1, 3, and 5. On my first attempt, I cut one too deep and had to start over. My second attempt opened it up after maybe 30 minutes.

[TurnerGOFP]

I ordered the course but I'm still waiting on the supplies. I'm excited.

[corey2444]

I did 4 lessons with FB. When I had a problem and needed advise I sat on hold too long or left a message and by the time they called me back, I had left the house.

Also, they sent me a lock to work on that had missing and bent springs. This was a re-used lock a prior student used, that didn't bother me. What bothered me was the instructor should have replaced the bent/missing springs. That just goes to show he probably didn't even take the lock apart, and assumed the prior student did it correctly.

So, after 4 lessons I stopped paying. Ever since they want the FULL amount, even though they never sent me all the tools and supplies. They dinged my credit and they keep sending me collection notices. The funny thing is, I never signed any contract with them, and it's not like I signed up at a community college with a student loan, taking a seat in a 40 man class room, with books, and tools, etc..

After FB, I decided to take Locksmith video school.com. For the most part I like this course. I can always use it as reference, too. I also took a course at Arizona School of Locksmithing. Both were good. I learned alot from both. I cannot say which one I like better except I felt like I walked away with my money's worth on both. Also both have no problem answering a question if I run into a problem.

[wolf_from_wv]

FB mentions in the lessons that any parts and locks after you use them are yours to keep to practice with (now?). I'm waiting on #26-30.

[CaptainPike]

First time you send away for the Foley-Belsaw information packet the initial cost of the course is somewhere around $1000. But if you're able to drag it out with with them and wait up to 6 months or so they will USUALLY start sending you a couple offers within that 6 month period where they come close to slashing their price in half to get you to enroll. I bet if they still do that you can show the Marines the original price and the eventual lower price (once FB offers that to you) and maybe then they will be more inclined to help with paying for that course.

But hey, I thought the military has their own locksmithing courses that they use to train their soldiers? Or does that depend on what branch of the military you're in?

I just called them up and asked about the fluctuating price. The fellah said 600 dollars at 55 dollars a month was the best he could do. I told him I just didn't have that much money and suddenly he offered it for 600 at 37 dollars a month. Didn't sound bad so I signed up

They want to sell the course. Call them up directly and they will go down on the price.

[TurnerGOFP]

I finally got my package. It took forever to arrive.

[CaptainPike]

I finally got my package. It took forever to arrive.

Did you sign up for Foley Belsaw or Penn Foster?

I just got my first set of lessons from Foley Belsaw on Monday, and that was pretty quick considering it shipped out last Friday. I called and signed up last Thursday.

But I'm already done with the first set of lessons. So the waiting until the next set arrives is going to kill me.

I'll go back through the first lessons while I wait. Mess around with hand filing blanks. That's what it mostly covered.

[wolf_from_wv]

I am now a "Certified Locksmith" from Foley-Belsaw.