becoming a locksmith?
- Thread starter st170stew
- Start date
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Prerequisites - very very deep pockets, no expectations of wealth, a liking of working at 4am in the pouring rain, and a desire to be on call 24/7. Loads of competition from call centre and property maintenance operations - unless you can get contract work, you will struggle on purely call-out work.
Bit doom and gloom, but too many paint a rose tinted image (namely training companies) of earning £000's after a couple of days training - it just doesn't happen.
If you are serious, then read-up on the subject, and make enquiries with the MLA (BLI for students).
keep us posted.
Bit doom and gloom, but too many paint a rose tinted image (namely training companies) of earning £000's after a couple of days training - it just doesn't happen.
If you are serious, then read-up on the subject, and make enquiries with the MLA (BLI for students).
keep us posted.
Thanks for comments, do the MLA offer courses like the various ones I've seen on the net? I've seen courses costing £4,500 including 'all the tools you will most likely need'. Are these a big a rip off as they seem? I know it's going to be expensive and the hours of working are not to everyones choice but it's a line of work I've been looking at for a while now and with us being made redundant later this year it's seems like the ideal time to really look to see if this is a viable option.
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The courses you see on the net are a mostly a rip-off. There a few training establishments that are certainly worth the money, but these are specialist courses aimed at trading locksmiths. Best route is to approach local locksmiths to see if they are recruiting - start from the bottom and work your way up. This way you will learn every aspect of the trade.
If you are determined to try it on your own, expect to part with a minimum of £20-£30k of setup costs to stand any chance of competing with established businesses. This amount will quickly increase if you look to also break into specialist areas such as cars/safes.
If you are dependant on a reasonable income from your venture in the first couple of years - seriously think about another avenue.
If you are determined to try it on your own, expect to part with a minimum of £20-£30k of setup costs to stand any chance of competing with established businesses. This amount will quickly increase if you look to also break into specialist areas such as cars/safes.
If you are dependant on a reasonable income from your venture in the first couple of years - seriously think about another avenue.
B
breezer
Doesnt really matter what you go into, same boat, differnt gravy.
ok typical one plumber, transport, tools, insurance, stationairy + training =£15-20K
and the training you cant learn what plumbers learn in years on any course, well you can, but you dont get experiance / know how tricks of trade etc
I suggest your best option is to do something you are good at and do that, but it wont be cheap
ok typical one plumber, transport, tools, insurance, stationairy + training =£15-20K
and the training you cant learn what plumbers learn in years on any course, well you can, but you dont get experiance / know how tricks of trade etc
I suggest your best option is to do something you are good at and do that, but it wont be cheap
although some of what the other member says is true, i have re-trained a few ex training course people, what you need to know is how long have they traded and can you call in for a brief chat to see for yourself, if they;ve nothing to hide they will let you, also the mla are the last place to go, unless you want to spend years sitting in a classroom, they are not a government body nor are any of us, some will try rope you in to a membership but all that does is drain your resourse for a ficticious title, alot of talk about non destructive entry, is not the real world of a locksmith fine if your at home as a hobbyist but will not get customer in the house, you can be taught to drill locks without destroying them.
Scratcher - some interesting views in your post. I have to agree with the membership situation (MLA/ICL etc.), as the majority are money making exercises. However, in my opinion there is a need for non-destructive entry techniques, in particular with warrant work. I think it presents a more professional image to a customer if you are able to pick a lock rather than dewalt it. Drilling a BS rated lock will lose its BS rating, unless you replace the hardplate, plus you've then got to repair a hole. A lot less hassle to decode or pick the lock - unless it damaged.
Just my views, and I'm not saying there's a right or wrong way to open a lock - each situation is different.
Just my views, and I'm not saying there's a right or wrong way to open a lock - each situation is different.
A course i went on once paid for by the employer didnt really teach us much about picking, just mainly drilling, for example...
1. How to drill a euro cylinder
2. How to snap a cylinder just in case you snap the drill bit in it, even got a snapper given to us.
3. How to slip a yale lock and was given micro cards
4. How to 'mickey mouse' a yale lock in case its been double locked
5. Drilling 5 lever mortice locks, standard and BS.
The hole in the door was only a 1/4" and was plugged with hardwood dowels.
Just this basic course has served me well at work and during my own time for 12 years
1. How to drill a euro cylinder
2. How to snap a cylinder just in case you snap the drill bit in it, even got a snapper given to us.
3. How to slip a yale lock and was given micro cards
4. How to 'mickey mouse' a yale lock in case its been double locked
5. Drilling 5 lever mortice locks, standard and BS.
The hole in the door was only a 1/4" and was plugged with hardwood dowels.
Just this basic course has served me well at work and during my own time for 12 years
spot on handy with the warrant work but a newbie is less likely to obtain this kind of work from the off, it is very stressfull work i've done it in the past, they only accept a 96% nde nowso a lot of money is spent on decoders and various mortice picks as one does not do them all, i will also say for new talent stay away from multi's who offer fantastic sub-contracting rates you will very rarely if ever get paid. they prey on new talent and destroy your confidence, doyour own advertising on google it can be done a lot cheaper, and more effective, remember the reps are not interested in how good or bad you are only their commision
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