Lock opening courses

[keysinthecity]

Hi,

Does anyone have any tips on what to look for in a lock opening course?

 

I am interested in the A1 Safe and Secure course, which is two day costing £800 and the MLA course which I would have to jump through a few hoops first to qualify to attend. I don't know details but it's likely to be a longer course and more expensive.

 

many thanks for any input!

DB

[Adamdale]

Mla all the way, why waste your money on cheaper training that isn't recognised by anyone. Jump through the hoops it's worth it in the end

[Mick Friend]

Lock Opening is 1 hour of instruction and many, many, many hours of practice - drop the practice and loose the touch.

I haven't opened a lock in 15 years and surprise - I can no longer do it- passed all my kit to me daughter.

TBH you don't need a weekend course- once you know the principles it is just practice -to have someone on your shoulder helps.

The most important thing is knowing what is happening inside the lock as you work - you should be able to close your eyes and follow your tool into the lock and see what it is doing

 

Start with a pin tumbler - dismantle it and look at it re-assemble it then try hand picks - there are plenty of good videos

 

if you then need the 'boost' MLA all the way but don't go in cold

[MarkD]

Totally agree with Mick, learning what to do is easy and there are plenty of free guides around. A course at any price cannot replace the hundreds of hours of practice that you need to invest of your own time.

[keysinthecity]

Thanks locksafe, I've sent you a PM.

[k4mrc]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lock+picking+for+beginners

 

and for quite a lot more, 

[rapidlocks]

what direction you take depends on what your needs are , ie what you want to be able to do , how quickly you learn depends on you , how committed you are , how practical you are , how logical the mind works and how good you are with your hands , but most of all how dedicated to learning and practicing you are .

 

if looking at doing warrant work then good quick entry skills are what you need , lock picking is 10% instruction and 90% practice . Outside of warrant work , lock picking and entry will form a small part of what you will get called to , the majority will be getting into failed locks , failed upvc mechs , toe and heeling upvc doors , lock changes and fitting , so the wise training money is spent in the areas that make you money and form the majority of calls you will get , and today this is upvc doors failing , fitting new mechs , toe and heel etc .

most courses concentrate on entry techniques , great if looking to do warrants , but outside of these the majority of work is service work rather than lock outs , lock picking is the sexy bit more so if you have a passion for it and enjoy it , but unless working in specialised areas its not what pays the bills .

 

The money is in the jobs that every tom dick and harry going on these short courses cannot do as not covered on their training course , areas such as upvc , composite doors , access control etc .

 

im a lock picking anorak , love picking locks and am fully self taught in this , having hd 12 years doing warrant entry before giving this up , picking locks is what i enjoy most , but outside of when i did warrants it was only ever 10% to 20% of the general call outs i would get , so as much as i would like to see everyone get a passion for lock picking , the best advice i can give is spend your training budget in areas that will make you your living in the service areas .

 

MLA can be worth the hoop jumping , a range of ongoing courses , recognition , support etc etc , so for many its a worthwhile path.

 

but for lock entry training if this is what you specifically want then initially the mla route is not the best for just lock entry , you cant get better than safe ventures , island locks does a decent course too , bob curry also does a good general course , all of these will give you a good basic knowledge , they will all teach you how , the rest is then down to you , time and practice , but thats the fun bit.

 

what ever path you choose , its alot of dedicated practice as well as alot of research as understanding how stuff works and what makes it tick is essential , most of all commit to it and enjoy it . 

[Auto Key Wizard]

My dad's advice was "find someone who has what you want, and ask them how to be as good as them.

 

 

Is that why you call me about auto jobs ? 

 

[LockandKey]

MLA system is the best way if you want to become recognised and gain access to insurance & commercial markets, they are very professional & well funded, too many 'flash in pan' locksmithing training companies out there - all have one objective (profit) and very few have any real commercial value as they are not recognised by the insurance industry or any manufacturers.

It takes time/effort/skill/structure and on site testing to be a professional association - and they add loads of other free benefits and massively discounted schemes for members.

I used to look after the BLA account (British locksmiths assn) what a joke - one of the 'brothers' ran away with all the cash, the MD (father) was hunting him down & brother (lets call him Phil) was offering rewards to recover the stolen cash.... it was like a scene from Eastenders

 

The MLA can seem a bit strange & old fashioned - but they do work at the leading edge, not a bad bunch of people and they will support you (even after you have handed your cash over) Well worth talking to them before you decide?