4 Must Know Tips | Learn to be a Locksmith

If you want to learn how to be a locksmith, PJ has 4 tips you must know! There is no straight path into the industry and finding a mentor is one of the best ways to get your foot into locksmithing. These tips will hopefully set you up for success and get you into the industry!

Do you have any tips for new locksmiths that you would like to add?
We love hearing all the wisdom you guys share with the rest of the community!

00:00- Video Intro:
01:01- Tip #1: 4 Must Know Tips | Learn to be a Locksmith
02:10- Tip #2: 4 Must Know Tips | Learn to be a Locksmith
03:11- Tip #3: 4 Must Know Tips | Learn to be a Locksmith
04:05- Tip #4: 4 Must Know Tips | Learn to be a Locksmith
04:39- #Lockboss Giveaway Details
05:02- Bloopers

Mentor a Future Locksmith? What would it take...| #Lockboss Show & Giveaway:

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ABOUT US:
Locksmithing is what PJ knows, he grew up watching his dad locksmith. PJ started his locksmith training at age 6 by learning how to cut a key! PJ, President of CLK Supplies shows locksmith tips, does locksmith training videos as a sort of locksmith school, interviews locksmiths goes over locksmith equipment, key cutting machines, and more. If you are interested in locksmithing, want to know how to use locksmith tools, or would like to learn a few new locksmith tricks you are in the right place. Welcome!

[kkaround]

When I wanted to started, I reached out to few local locksmiths, their answer was that they don't need help, even though I was willing to help for free. At the same time I find many experienced locksmith who are willing to help when I needed on social media forms. Great video again #LockBoss

[DarkEmpathy]

I was hired sight unseen from a different state with no experience my boss took a gamble on me, and I gave him 110%. He wasn't a CML and whatever he didn't know, he was willing to find out and learn, and in turn bestowed that ideology onto me. One time we had gotten the contract to install deadbolts on the 300+ units in a particular building. I was about 6 mo. in and don't ever say you don't like doing fresh install of deadbolts on metal doors. Because then he made me do the rest of them in the entire building, (about 135ish, no one could help, that was deemed "my job") until I didn't mind it anymore. (Not in a punishing way, but he saw I was apprehensive about doing those and by doing so many day in and day out I learned to be more proficient at them.)

From then on, if I didn't care for a particular I kept my mouth shut, LoL

[jeremyc]

Be respectful and be grateful for your mentor/teacher! Wise advice. Got it. Thank you .

[azskyking]

I spent 20 years in low voltage security and found myself having to figure out hardware OJT. I had to learn how to prep doors and install electrified hardware by myself. I spent hours reading everything.
When I started off actual Locksmithing, I had the same approach, but had to fund it myself. No one I worked for was willing to let me cross train. Reading books, buying supplies and tools as I could. Practicing.
Then I took a massive pay cut so I could work as a part-time locksmith for a retirement community. I learned a lot by doing that.
In the past couple of years I've been learning more from YouTube channels like CLK, SE Lock and Key, Locksny, and a few others. I've been to a couple of IML Expos and both Allegion and Assa Abloy online classes.
A big obstacle I ran into when applying for work as a locksmith is that they only want me for low voltage security. Oh they'll hire me and pay me well but it's not what I want to do at this point in my career. So I'm in business for myself. I don't make much at this point but I've made it a year, I have a bigger shop and many more tools and parts. If this economy doesn't shut me down, I expect to be in business for quite a while.
One thing I definitely know is that I still have a lot to learn.
#Lockboss

[kennethjohnson]

I started 25 years ago and had a retired locksmith as a mentor I recommend this for new locksmiths # LOCKBOSS THANKS PJ

[neilwilson]

Good points. It's always hard to share everything without the feeling that you're training your competition. Thanks PJ! #lockboss

[Rocketlockopener]

Instead of buying $1600 mail in locksmith course, could you imagine if you gave it to a locksmith and ride along with him
And learn as you go.

[javieraguilar]

Great topic! I can definitely say that ride alongs help so much. That and adding in your own elbow grease to lose some of the beginners fear/intimidation goes a long way. Our shop didn't have someone who knew and understood customer service, so customers would walk away or just stop showing up. That's my unique skill that I presented. More people are showing up and I'm starting to see repeat customers. The numbers show it as well. But the biggest advice I can add is stay humble all the way through.
#LockBoss

[davidcox]

Whether you are new, or an old timer, there is always something new that you can learn. I've always considered myself a lifetime learner. And I am always happy to learn from the #Lockboss.

[bobbykendrick]

Very helpful information. I am trying to get on with a local locksmith company and they have very high standards for their employees. They want everyone to work as a team. No ME employees. They want you to continually learn new things instead of trying to keep you in the dark. Sounds like a good place to work.
#Lockboss

[tallprintz]

I’m trying to become a locksmith in the Philly area looking to hit the ground running or apprentice. One thing I haven’t found info on was what basic tools were a must.

[odinslockllc]

Doesn’t hurt to do some research first before trying to get your foot in the door with a lock shop. At least learn some of the “basics” etc so they know your seriously interested in learning what they have to offer. Another thing I can’t say enough is you gotta be comfortable and fairly personable talking to strangers. Locksmithing is “customer service”. You don’t want to come off as really shy or grumpy. It’ll not only hurt your trainers business but it’ll stop you from growing as well. Great topic PJ! #lockboss

[johnfalk]

When I started I took the Foley Belsaw Mail Order Class. I worked with that for a while. A few years later I was afforded the offer to take a Class, along with Others, put on by a Locksmithing Business out of Detroit. The Locksmith from Detroit not only gave us Other Options on how to accomplish things but also gave us a Locksmith Supply business to purchase better Equipment from. The Locksmith could also see those of us that were more adept at the Trade and show us more advanced options to learn. It was what really sparked me to continue in the Trade. This #Lockboss learned very well at the time the concepts offered.

[WiliamBennettwildarbennett]

One key that is so often overlooked, is HONOR your Mentor(s) with HONESTY. A person that will stake their company reputation, by taking you on as their tutelage, deserves the honesty, in your work habits, and hours that you labor. Remember it's not the hours on the paycheck, but rather the pride in knowing that, what you done was A Fair Days Work. I'm taking from experience. At 18 yr old I was getting $50 a week, plus room and board. Thank you #PJ for another great #LOCKBOSS LESSON.

[veteranlockandkey]

Just got started this past week with your locksmith training program. Excited to learn more about the trade. #lockboss

[davidturner]

There are lots of ways to learn. Here in NC we have a locksmith association with quite a few members. We meet quarterly and have continuing education classes along with just getting to know other locksmiths who have a wealth of knowledge and are willing to share it. We also have a trade show each February P.J. and I’m sure a lot of our members would be happy to see you and your crew there. #LockBoss

[keys.on.demand]

Thanks for the Video Pj and CLK Supplies Team. I am currently in this situation looking for a mentor. I just jumped in to the industry 2 years ago learning and researching on my off days and after my regular job trying to better the craft. I am so thankful for the lockboss community for all its support and hopefully soon i expand my knowledge in to the industry I'm always willing to listen and learn. - Los Angeles Area #Lockboss

[nemeiso]

I am going to try doing 4 keyless door locks a week as I am retired and going to do it part time, what can you advise me to help? edwin

[TheDavila]

That was interesting. Great subject you brought up there. I agree on mentoring young student wishing to become locksmiths. Their the future. The past is willing to learn also. I am intrested in learning about locksmithing and have a lot of technical abilities. How would someone like me approach a locksmith and offer my assistance . Like myself I mean a senior semi retired. Is there an entry level for me or retirees like me. I love to "learn new things everyday". Thats my mantra to all the youth and my family members and friends.
#lockboss

[derekbroestler]

Being humble is a BIG one.. Know what you know, but accept that you might not know as much as you think you do. The shop I came up in was EXTEREMLY oldschool (over 130 continuous years of operation, same family), when I started there going on 20 years ago, and could be a meatgrinder for newbies who talked themselves up, or out of their rears, or who felt that any of the shopwork was "beneath them".... I've seen folks who came in claiming that it was "no big deal" to pick Medecos" get completely humbled by someone handing them one and saying "show me how you do it." One person thought cleaning and checking calibration on key machines was "beneath" them after a week. (we were running some OLD machines, as in cast in brass, so you had to watch them) same with taking out the trash, or even going to help move a safe.... NONE of these folks lasted very long...

Also, just like any trade job, there are "shop tools" that anyone can use as long as they don't walk off, , but there's also "personal tools".... "borrowing" or even touching, someone's personal tools without asking, will NOT go over well EVER...

When you first start, you keep your mouth and hands to yourself, keep your eyes and ears open, and watch and listen to how that particular shop works. . Look for any way you can help, even it you're just being a "third hand" when someone else is working.... Volunteer for ANYTHING you know you can do as often as you can (I once picked up my former boss' dry cleaning because it was on my way to work, but out of the way for him) and most importantly, admit when you don't know how to do something.... ASK.... and then LISTEN...

In my experience, there's not a locksmith alive who won't talk a good newbie's ear off if they ask for help politely.... but if you shut them out when they're trying to explain something, and THEN you have to admit you didn't know as much as you thought you did and ask them to rescue you, expect more than an an earful of S***talking, and that news spreads in a shop.... So you're not just gonna hear it from THAT locksmith, you're gonna have to eat crow from everyone for a bit.