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What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

This is the old Locksmith business info area and will be broken down to fill in the new sections below.

What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby SoMotivated10 » 15 Oct 2010 20:19

Hope this is the right place to post this. . .

I have thought about this trade on and off, but would really like to hear some of your stories on the profession. I would like to get a better general idea on the life of a Locksmith and how much you enjoy what you do as well as financial stability within the field.

So what made you become or want to be a locksmith?
How long have you been in the business?
What do you like most about your job and dislike about your job?
How did you start out your journey to get where you are today?

Thanks everyone. =)
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Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby Tyler J. Thomas » 16 Oct 2010 15:48

Started picking locks when I was 16 (7 years ago) and after playing around with them all throughout my teenage years and not being happy with my projected career in college, I began asking around for an apprenticeship. Was lucky enough to get on board with a large company in my town and the rest is history.

Been an actual locksmith for over 3 years now but I've been messing around with them since I was 16.

The worst part of my job is going to jobs that you know are going to suck - real pain in the ass type things. Not necessarily bad customers because I can handle that. I'm talking stressful and tense scenarios, i.e. drilling set screws on expensive mortise locks inside expensive doors that a jammed cam has rendered inoperable. It's no fun knowing that one mishap can really, really turn your day south. If you get it right, it's very rewarding. I'm not a fan of those stressful moments, however. Everything else is great. I feel good after each successful job, especially lockouts that take virtually no effort. I was lucky to run two calls a month ago in the same day where I had the owner inside their home seconds after I stuck my pick in - I love those calls. You feel good about your skill level and it's something customer's will tell their friends/family - "He picked my lock and had me inside in just a few seconds!".
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Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby SoMotivated10 » 16 Oct 2010 17:19

Confederate wrote:Started picking locks when I was 16 (7 years ago) and after playing around with them all throughout my teenage years and not being happy with my projected career in college, I began asking around for an apprenticeship. Was lucky enough to get on board with a large company in my town and the rest is history.

Been an actual locksmith for over 3 years now but I've been messing around with them since I was 16.

The worst part of my job is going to jobs that you know are going to suck - real pain in the donkey type things. Not necessarily bad customers because I can handle that. I'm talking stressful and tense scenarios, i.e. drilling set screws on expensive mortise locks inside expensive doors that a jammed cam has rendered inoperable. It's no fun knowing that one mishap can really, really turn your day south. If you get it right, it's very rewarding. I'm not a fan of those stressful moments, however. Everything else is great. I feel good after each successful job, especially lockouts that take virtually no effort. I was lucky to run two calls a month ago in the same day where I had the owner inside their home seconds after I stuck my pick in - I love those calls. You feel good about your skill level and it's something customer's will tell their friends/family - "He picked my lock and had me inside in just a few seconds!".


Hey man, thanks for the response. Questions like these have not gotten many answers from past experience on other forums for different things. Maybe some readers dont have time, or dont feel like they need to be interviewed in some way. So I appreciate it.

I totally hear what youre saying about those stressful moments. Ive done a lot of things in the workfield throughout the years. As far as trades go, I had done HVAC as well as security/fire alarm systems.

I admit I was very immature in those times and didn't take work very seriously.

So when you started to apprentice, what did they have you doing? Were you with a service technician or were you in a shop making keys all day long?

I'm very curious about locksmithing. I find forums the best way to get ideas on how the field is. Ive had a tough time growing up and I have been a very indecisive type of person when it comes to choosing a career and sticking with ideas. They always seem to come and go. Lots of times, I back down from ideas because of the frustration of schooling or situations like that. I do know from past experience, that I enjoyed driving a work van, going to different job sites throughout the week and feeling good knowing I had made something work. I feel locksmithing is good because I get to do all that, + work with my hands as well as learn mechanical/electrical areas within the field. As stupid as it sounds, I have also had a very big fear in heights, so the trade of locksmithing gives me a comfort feeling knowing I will be grounded most times. I love tools and tinkering with things. A few years ago, I had a locksmithing book and was trying to teach myself. I was going through some tough times and had to put it aside, then unfortunately I had lost all my personal belongings in my apartment. I had to make some sacrifices.

So my questions in this thread is to really get an idea to see if this is something I really want to pursue. If all looks good, then I might do the Penn Foster thing or Foley. I noticed for Penn foster they teach you electrical and panic buttons. Foley doesnt. Foley seems to lean more focus on hardware. . But either way, both seem good to get that basic knowledge as well as a certification under the belt. Any advice for someone such as me would be greatly appreciated. I just want to find my nitch, a career that is stable, and to make a comfortable salary so I can build a good future for myself as well as a family when the time comes. If i could excel and work my way to make a 6 figure income some day then awesome, if i could make a good 60k then great!

Im rambling now, so anyway, thank you again.
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Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby allamericanlock » 16 Oct 2010 17:34

I like working with my hands. Everything else i like to do wont be as fun if i have to pay the bills doing it.
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Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby Tyler J. Thomas » 16 Oct 2010 18:15

SoMotivated10 wrote:So when you started to apprentice, what did they have you doing?


Menial tasks, I guess to prove I was competent and trustworthy. I got into actual lock work by riding along with an experienced tech. Started by watching and then slowly doing until I was competent enough to do it all with him watching just to make sure I was alright. After that I moved out into my own truck and I'm running service calls on my own now, usually between 2-5 a day. I'm kind of the "overflow" guy. If we're not busy, no jobs will be passed to me and I'll do a number of other things at the shop. If we're busy, I'll take on the workload just like everyone else.

I do it all, really. I watch the shop when needed, key up big jobs, road service, help with our safe delivery, help fix/repair/clean/load/unload safes, dispatching, etc. In other words, they've taught me enough that I should never have an excuse to sit around.

If I were you, I'd ask around town before you invested time/money into a correspondence course. You'd be surprised how open people are to apprentices these days. If you could get on, you'd basically get paid to learn. At least worth a shot and it never hurts to ask.
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Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby SoMotivated10 » 16 Oct 2010 18:23

Confederate wrote:
SoMotivated10 wrote:So when you started to apprentice, what did they have you doing?


Menial tasks, I guess to prove I was competent and trustworthy. I got into actual lock work by riding along with an experienced tech. Started by watching and then slowly doing until I was competent enough to do it all with him watching just to make sure I was alright. After that I moved out into my own truck and I'm running service calls on my own now, usually between 2-5 a day. I'm kind of the "overflow" guy. If we're not busy, no jobs will be passed to me and I'll do a number of other things at the shop. If we're busy, I'll take on the workload just like everyone else.

I do it all, really. I watch the shop when needed, key up big jobs, road service, help with our safe delivery, help fix/repair/clean/load/unload safes, dispatching, etc. In other words, they've taught me enough that I should never have an excuse to sit around.

If I were you, I'd ask around town before you invested time/money into a correspondence course. You'd be surprised how open people are to apprentices these days. If you could get on, you'd basically get paid to learn. At least worth a shot and it never hurts to ask.



That sounds good. . How much do apprentices usually make? I live in NJ and would have no clue what they make but Being that I live on my own, I couldnt make less then 12$ an hour minimum. I kinda doubt I would even make that much money an hour as an apprentice.
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Location: New Jersey

Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby Tyler J. Thomas » 16 Oct 2010 20:44

SoMotivated10 wrote:
Confederate wrote:
SoMotivated10 wrote:So when you started to apprentice, what did they have you doing?


Menial tasks, I guess to prove I was competent and trustworthy. I got into actual lock work by riding along with an experienced tech. Started by watching and then slowly doing until I was competent enough to do it all with him watching just to make sure I was alright. After that I moved out into my own truck and I'm running service calls on my own now, usually between 2-5 a day. I'm kind of the "overflow" guy. If we're not busy, no jobs will be passed to me and I'll do a number of other things at the shop. If we're busy, I'll take on the workload just like everyone else.

I do it all, really. I watch the shop when needed, key up big jobs, road service, help with our safe delivery, help fix/repair/clean/load/unload safes, dispatching, etc. In other words, they've taught me enough that I should never have an excuse to sit around.

If I were you, I'd ask around town before you invested time/money into a correspondence course. You'd be surprised how open people are to apprentices these days. If you could get on, you'd basically get paid to learn. At least worth a shot and it never hurts to ask.



That sounds good. . How much do apprentices usually make? I live in NJ and would have no clue what they make but Being that I live on my own, I couldnt make less then 12$ an hour minimum. I kinda doubt I would even make that much money an hour as an apprentice.


Expect the minimum and be thankful for anything more. It is a risky investment for the owner and don't be insulted for lack of hours or money. You'll have to prove yourself. Don't fret because we all went through it in one way or another.
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Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby SoMotivated10 » 16 Oct 2010 20:53

Expect the minimum and be thankful for anything more. It is a risky investment for the owner and don't be insulted for lack of hours or money. You'll have to prove yourself. Don't fret because we all went through it in one way or another.[/quote]


So what is the best way to go about this being that I live on my own and work a full time job. . Currently my hours are 10-6:30 Sunday through Thursday. . Do I try for a part time job in the field or jump in to full time if I can get it? My mother had suggested that if I really want to do this, then I should do the course work. I have an uncle that has been in this business for nearly 30 years or so. He has a lot of connections as he knows tons of people. He works sales now for a lock company U.S Lock and he makes a killing considering he works commision. She had suggested when I finish the course work to try and hook up with him to get in a company somewhere.

I dont mind being at the bottom to get where I need to be. . I just cant sacrifice a huge drop in pay as I live on my own and have to take care of me.
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Location: New Jersey

Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby Tyler J. Thomas » 17 Oct 2010 10:07

SoMotivated10 wrote:So what is the best way to go about this being that I live on my own and work a full time job. . Currently my hours are 10-6:30 Sunday through Thursday. . Do I try for a part time job in the field or jump in to full time if I can get it? My mother had suggested that if I really want to do this, then I should do the course work. I have an uncle that has been in this business for nearly 30 years or so. He has a lot of connections as he knows tons of people. He works sales now for a lock company U.S Lock and he makes a killing considering he works commision. She had suggested when I finish the course work to try and hook up with him to get in a company somewhere.

I dont mind being at the bottom to get where I need to be. . I just cant sacrifice a huge drop in pay as I live on my own and have to take care of me.


Yeah if you've got someone with connections like that then go that route. If he works for U.S. Lock then he deals with shop owners all day, every day. I'm sure he could pass the word along to plenty of people in the area.
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Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby allamericanlock » 20 Oct 2010 23:34

My first 4 months were non paid training, then i started at $10 for a year and then $12 and just before i was going to get bumped to $15 i started my own company.
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Re: What reasons made you decide to become a LockSmith?

Postby meastabrook » 21 Oct 2010 18:25

i became a locksmith because i like doing it, i started playing with locks when i was 5, and went to locksmith school in 2009. probibly doesnt help that it runs in the family ever since the 1920s
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