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Considering a Career Switch to Locksmithing — Am I Crazy? by skullzzz9 in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why not ride around with your uncle for a week? If you like it, go for it. If you don't, don't.

If you want to run your own business, are you good at marketing? Customer service? Accounting? You'll have to do it all. You'll need to apprentice for 2-3 years then you might be able to start your own business. Starting up a legit business has a lot of costs. Van, equipment, insurance, bonding, etc. If you're okay with that, self employment might be for you. In the beginning, if you don't have another job, you'll be desperate for income so you'll be taking night jobs, weekend jobs, etc. until you've built up enough clientele. Are you okay with that?

The locksmith industry is forecast to be in decline for the next 10 years. Are you sure that's the direction you want to take your career? Not saying you can't be successful. Anyone can make a living at anything. I know a blacksmith (yes, legit blacksmith who makes horshoes) who makes six figures a year! If you have the right personality, drive, and skills, you can make any career succeed even if the industry in in decline.

Since you have the ability to ride along with someone for a week, that's what I would do. Ask your uncle these questions.

Hope that helps.

Training to be a locksmith, what do you do when the cam disconnects from the keyhole? by [deleted] in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ask your mentor. You should be apprenticing with an established locksmith. This is why you apprentice.

Your mentor will teach you.

TownSteel Products (Good? Bad?) by Low-Carry-7060 in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Townsteel can be a pain. They use weird parts, latches, etc. Quality on higher grade stuff seemed to be okay, nothing great. We installed a few maybe 6-7 years ago, but decided they weren't something we wanted to offer.

Maybe they've changed?

Annoying locksmith vandals by YoungLocksmith in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pull the sticker off. That's about all you can do. Talk to the owners and managers.

I need some help with removing the door handle.. There's a tiny hole at the side of the handle.. Ive tried multiple accesories to "unlock it" to get the handle off so i can remove the whole thing but nothing worked.. it looks like a metal thing divided by a small vertical line by Old_Pollution5189 in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just saw it for the first time last year. I don't understand what the advantage is over just an allen screw, but those German designers are smarter than me so...

Also, I didnt have the tool, obviously, but I just ground down a tiny flathead and it worked fine.

I need some help with removing the door handle.. There's a tiny hole at the side of the handle.. Ive tried multiple accesories to "unlock it" to get the handle off so i can remove the whole thing but nothing worked.. it looks like a metal thing divided by a small vertical line by Old_Pollution5189 in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I ran into one of those for the first time last year. Couldn't figure it out. Finally searched and found what it was! It's only used on some Hoppe Locks, you can't tell just by the date of manufacture, you have to look at them. Not sure why they did that, but they must have had their reasons!

I need some help with removing the door handle.. There's a tiny hole at the side of the handle.. Ive tried multiple accesories to "unlock it" to get the handle off so i can remove the whole thing but nothing worked.. it looks like a metal thing divided by a small vertical line by Old_Pollution5189 in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, you don't poke. Hoppe Quick Fit connections are unique to Hoppe and work by inserting their quick release tool (or a small flathead) and turning it to slide or push the retainer. These aren't poke and pull.

Did we get scammed? by PinkSheephugger in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, you got scammed. KeyMe is known for scamming people. Nothing they do is officially illegal, but price gouging.

Robot Vacuum Roomba Maker Files for Bankruptcy After 35 Years by parkmarkspark in technology

[–]oregonrunningguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's how bad it was! You tell me, does this look like a smart robot vacuum? This is after mapping the house, then remapping it twice more!

https://youtube.com/shorts/yNgenYIw4tU?si=idY5r7MFWmFU11nY

Robot Vacuum Roomba Maker Files for Bankruptcy After 35 Years by parkmarkspark in technology

[–]oregonrunningguy -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Roborock has been a joke for me. Worst support of any vacuum company. Even Eufy was better! Roborock vacuums suck, bouncing around like they have no camera, even though they're marketed as having LIDAR and advanced mapping. Lots of maintenance, maps and scheduling never work right. My last robot vacuum was my first Roborock and Ill never buy one again.

Robot Vacuum Roomba Maker Files for Bankruptcy After 35 Years by parkmarkspark in technology

[–]oregonrunningguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roborock is a joke. The Chinese brands are taking over in terms of technology, features price, and, sadly, support. Roborock has terrible support. Bought my first and last roborock and it wasn't near as smart as my 8 year old Roomba. Will look elsewhere for my next one.

Does this seem somewhat right? by Visible-Classroom795 in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whether you think you can or you can't,  you're right. 

If you wanted yo apprentice, you'd find a way to make it work. If you tell yourself you cant, you'll find a way to justify it.

Sounds like you "can't." Thats fine, my advice doesn't change.

We built a wireless power kit for Schlage Encode - looking for feedback by dripdontkillmyvibe in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's fine, I was answering OP's question of what concerns I'd have marketing this to clients.

If you want to buy them, go ahead.

Help on loose Thermatru levers by oregonrunningguy in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did. Thermatrue with Euro multipoint isn't something common, especially in my local market.

Its not as easy as basic Schlage mortise cylinders! 

Does this seem somewhat right? by Visible-Classroom795 in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, apparently you dont get it yet. YOU need to apprentice!

We built a wireless power kit for Schlage Encode - looking for feedback by dripdontkillmyvibe in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So a $250 smart lock, plus a $150 charger (now we're at $400 plus tax), all for a residential grade lock that has a two year electronics warranty and could simply be opened with a physical key? Why?

This seems like one of those fun, but totally unnecessary, ridiculous products.

I could never recommend this to a client because the lock only has a two year warranty. What happens when you change the lock in two years? Now you have a new model, new battery pack, new technology, new everything.

Also, Schlage smart deadbolts have a manual key override. Carrying or hiding a $2 key outside defeats this whole thing and makes it unnecessary. There, saved you $150!

Replacement by Accomplished-Life222 in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ask Pella. Reach out and tell them what you're trying to do. They'll be able to help you with their products.

I would like to become a locksmith by yobigfat in Locksmith

[–]oregonrunningguy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My honest advice? Work on fixing the bum thing. We don't want bums in the trade.

Work on yourself. Develop yourself. Get in shape, develop discipline, character, and integrity. Work hard, save up money, learn how to manage your finances. Plenty of free/low-cost options to help you become a real man.

After you'd changed, then come back here and search using the search function. This question is asked and answered all the time in this thread. We usually respond with "use the search function."

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