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Correspondence School Recommendations?

My father retired from general contracting about 30 years ago and took up locksmithing as a less physically demanding trade. Now 82 years old he’s going into a nursing home and would like to will his tools and inventory to one of the grandchildren.

He took a Bellsaw course to get started but it occurs to me that folks here on the alt.locksmithing might have some recommendations for alternative correspondence schools. My youngest son finished in the top 5% of his HVAC classes but due to injuries is unable to perform all the tasks that the trade demands. He’s interested in the locksmithing option and would appreciate any advice on seeking a good starting point for his education.

By the way, he does have granddad’s past issues of American Locksmith going back about 20 years and finds them interesting reading.

Thanks!

Bob . . .

Reply to
Bob Nuckolls
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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.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

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.

Reply to
Steve

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...

Reply to
Bogus
Reply to
Stormin Mormon

"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 :-)

Reply to
Key

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.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

"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

Reply to
Key

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