Auto locksmithing

by **Guest** » 28 Oct 2004 17:24

I have decided to go into auto locksmith work and will be going on a course my questions are...

what tools and equipment is needed ?

which brands do I buy and which brands don`t I buy ?

Don

by **Varjeal** » 28 Oct 2004 17:53

Because I do not live in the U.k., and many models of auto's that are found there are NOT found here and vise versa, I'll give ya a generalized list and hopefully someone with more experience on that side of the pond will be able to flush out the details.

The first piece of advice I would give you is to start keeping track of the types of vehicles (don't forget to include motorcycles, boats, lorries, and buses) that you see everyday. Find out what dealerships are in your area and note the models, etc that are available, especially the used vehicle lots.

Once you've done that, go to your supplier(s) and get as many parts catalogs as you can. Once you've established what your "market" is like, you can then go shopping for the tools necessary to open and service the types of vehicles in your area. If it's anything like over here, you'll find that the types of vehicles in your area may different greatly from another area.

Talk to other lockies who do similar work and find out what they prefer for tools/suppliers, etc.

Once your research is done, you'll need to find the following types of tools.

1. A good quality opening kit. Make sure of a few things.

#1. It doesn't have a hundred tools in it.
#2. It has more than 10.
#3. The opening manual that should come with it should have (inside the door) views and at least 2 suggestions for opening each type of vehicle, be updatable year, and not cost a fortune.
#4. It includes a good selection of wedges, and an opening light. Add de-icer and a small bottle of liquid soap to soften weatherstripping.

2. Pick tools. Never rely on ONE method of opening all the time. Euro vehicles are becoming famous for "deadlocking features". Learn which ones have it and which one's don't and how to work around it. Jigglers, standard picks, rocker picks, and "laser" key picks MAY be required.

3. Key machines. When starting out, research is vital, or you'll spend way too much. You'll most likely require a "standard" machine as well as something to cut internal/external 2&4 track keys.

4. Tools.....You'll need trim removal tools, clip removal tools, and a variety of others for servicing ignitions, trunks, and deck locks. Your course should tell you what the most popular are. Buy the best quality you can possibly afford.

5. Pin kits...Once you know what kind of auto's you're going to work on, you'll find out that certain pin kits may cover a range of different types of vehicles, buy these when possible and try to avoid (make specific) kits. Also, some manufacturers offer what's called an "oops" kit. This is a "generic" type kit that holds all sorts of springs, clips, washers, screws, and other devices that may be missing or get broken during a service call.
Get one, and keep it stocked.

6. Key blank selection. This is important, of course. You should carry at least 10 of each popular blank. Be careful, here, as some blanks cross over to several models so you don't have to necessarily have "specific" blanks.

7. Inventory...stocking the locks again requires good market research.

Hopefully this will give you a good start.

by **pinky** » 28 Oct 2004 18:02

add to this list;

Transponder
software
blitz machine
HPC or Instacode software
ford tibbe pick from benny ( a must )
you have bennys opening set i think you said.
good light source
depth keys

i dont do cars, but im sure if you email mb then they will give you an informed and realistic start up list.

by **MrB** » 28 Oct 2004 18:14

In the UK, I got the impression that the AA/RAC are pretty good at handling lockouts. Does that leave much room for the independent guy?

by **pinky** » 28 Oct 2004 18:17

my advice to the customer would be to repin the lock and cut new keys, though with ford keys and many other makes , with the transponder you can have the same cuts as the old key and reprogram the chip, so although the old key will open the car it wont start it up.

though its not an informed answer as cars are not my thing.

though i had my ford locks repined and recut and reprogramed , though i would imagine alot will come down to your customers budget.

by **pinky** » 28 Oct 2004 18:20

totaly dependent on area, a firm called luton autokeys have the contracts with AA , RAC and green flag and sell off franchises, they have this side nicely sown up.

the independent in some areas cannot rely on auto work alone, and in the next area they thrive.

by **toomush2drink** » 28 Oct 2004 18:21

I too have looked into this and found you will need what is listed above. to make a new key you need a code machine or a big set of depth spacers to cut keys the old school way on a normal machine.Now add your laser machine and tibbe machine too.
The biggest challenge is the transponder side of it.Sure you may get in easy enough but now you have to programme the key to the car etc. some can be done in the car like fords and some need one type of machine but that machine wont do all.You then need another machine like a sdd to do the others. the machines arnt too bad costwise but its the software and updates that cost. Try Â£300 per make and you have an idea how pricey this could get.Key blanks too could add up as the transponder blanks can add up in cost at about Â£20+ a blank.

by **Guest** » 30 Oct 2004 8:31

don,
pinky seems to have every answer perfectly right but i wouldn't rush into a transponder machine, although it is an essential piece of kit there is loads of auto work about that does not involve it ... just to get a feel for it first.

by **toomush2drink** » 30 Oct 2004 9:20

I have to agree with you tony as that was my first aim and as the work comes in and my reputation grows then to invest in the transponder stuff.

by **toomush2drink** » 30 Oct 2004 9:22

I have to agree with you tony as that was my first aim and as the work comes in and my reputation grows then to invest in the transponder stuff. I have been opening cars with just the unikey kit and a few other bits so far and not had too many problems. Next up is an overlifting kit and safeventures tibbe pick but going to do the mb locks course first.

by **Buggs41** » 30 Oct 2004 11:55

Not meaning to hi-jack this thread.

Just wondering how often a 'through the car' tool is used. I have a 'BigEasy-Glow' tool. In most auto lockouts, are the keys usually inside the auto, and entry in to the vehicle is all that is required?

by **Guest** » 30 Oct 2004 15:37

toomush,
pinky suggested in a previous post about discussing and comparing courses we've been on, i first went on the mb course and found it a great intro into the auto side but the short time doesn't cover everything. how did you start on the auto side of things? ... ps the tibbe pick is amazing (it makes me look better than i am)
buggs,
i've found most jobs there are no keys available so getting in is the easy part and usually only require the use of the same 2/3 tools.

by **pinky** » 30 Oct 2004 17:41

keep going, this is the sort of post i want to see on training, what works what doesnt, whats a waste of cash what isnt, share you experiences save the next generation time and money, improve each others skills.

mb ive heard great things about and is currently the only auto course i reccommend to trainees, if you know better then let me know, i aim to give good honest advice, and i can base this on your experiences.

il give freely what i know on tools and courses, give me the rest and we can all benefit in the future, keep it up and expand .

by **D_Shane** » 30 Oct 2004 18:01

Buggs,
I'd say over 95% of the lockouts I get are will keys locked inside the car. As for the through the car tools, I haven't used the BigEasy-Glow but have used several others and I don't care much for them. The long span you deal with is difficult to control and winds up feeling like you are stabbing in the dark with the end bouncing around. IMHO it would seem as though a customer would view the way the tool bounced around as inexperience.
To me it's much easier to use a a tool thats designed for that particular setup than one that is "universal"

Dave

by **Buggs41** » 30 Oct 2004 18:55

That makes sense Dave.

I do have a set of under the door tools, but don't have that '' book. My biggest fear would be getting the tool stuck, or setting off an airbag.

Someday I get more active in the lock-out servicing of auto's. Until then, I will keep gaining knowledge here.

Thanks!

Auto locksmithing

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