Correspondence School Recommendations?

In the mid 70's, my Dad and I took the Locksmith Institute course, from Little Falls, NJ. It was very, very basic. A lot of the lessons were stuff I've never used since then. Like making Schlage double sided wafer keys by code. However, it got me started. Barely.

I apprenticed in two jobs after that, and that's where my real learning started. My real learning took off my leaps and bounds when I got my own business. Then, I had to do marketing in addition to the key cutting kind of thing.

I think the choices are Foley or PLCI, and I have essentially no experience with either of them. Foley Belsaw graduates use the word "certified" in a sentence very frequently, but few of them can explain what that means.

Foley Belsaw graduates use the word

It means they were certified by Foley Belsaw as having successfully completed the Foley Belsaw course for whatever that's worth.

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-&spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:v1yQg.44085$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.nyroc.rr.com...

took that one myself :-) what about the recomendation they gave to have a gm towed to the dealer and have the dealer r&r the ignition :-) no wonder "Locksmith Institute" is history !

ya left out a ton of stuff, but that sure brings back memories....

my2¢

Steve sums it up well. I also completed the Foley-Belsaw course in 1991 (waited for the $599 price offer).

It is a good starting point, since it touches on the main facets of this trade, and makes it clear "how much that you didn't know you don't know". It also gives you a feel for whether this type of work suits you before making larger investments in tools, software and inventory.

I think most will agree that real world apprentice experience after completing a study course is the next step...

took that one myself :-) what about the recomendation they gave to have a gm towed to the dealer and have the dealer r&r the ignition :-) no wonder "Locksmith Institute" is history ! CY: I didn't follow up on any of the details, so I'll take your word for it. Wish they had contacted their former students and asked what did you use. Do you still have a candle in your tool box for smoking key blanks for warded padlocks?

ya left out a ton of stuff, but that sure brings back memories.... CY: That's for sure. How to develop wholesale parts suppliers. How to deal with people who asssure me that Kmart has locks for $5.97 and they can't imagine why it costs more than three bucks to have the stupid lock installed. And, and, and.

my2¢

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-&spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:KwRQg.54916$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.nyroc.rr.com...

yea, I do remember the candle thing :-)

I missed the one about the GM tow truck. But it sounds possible. I was taking the course in 1976 or so, which was back in the days of the Sagniaw colum. I think they call it....

You ever smoked key blanks to make keys to warded padlocks? I wanted to keep that warded cutaway padlock. But they wanted it back. Too bad. I can't remember if they had any lessons on installing deadbolts. Drilling doors is a good income for me.

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-&spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:5deSg.176$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.nyroc.rr.com...

yea, back then I tried it because it was a lesson. I also tried it without smoking and it worked fine. haven't done the smoking thing again. (well, not keyblanks anyway)

I also can't really remember if they had a lesson on installing deadbolts. dang CRS :-) its has been over 25 years...

same here...

g'day