AUTO LOCKSMITHS
Out of office : From Yorkshire Water to van lock installer
Andy Dunn is based in Leeds , and has been locksmithing for around four years . Not content with being confined to an office job , led Andy to turn a hobby of lockpicking into a new career . And , a love of learning meant door repair turned to commercial , which turned to van lock installation . Here ’ s how Andy did it , and you can too …
» I HAVE A DEGREE IN PRODUCT design and , after university , got into designing underground water pipes for Yorkshire Water . But after a few years of office work I didn ’ t feel it was for me . Like many other locksmiths , I initially became obsessed with learning how to pick locks . I did this for months and then I booked a course at a locksmith training company .
My ‘ bread and butter ’ is mainly door repair . So , a typical day is going to doors which are jammed shut or won ’ t lock . I ’ ve also recently started getting more into commercial work for companies which I enjoy . For example , I recently changed a lot of locks for a University near to me , I also installed deadlocks to a fleet of vans .
There have been many interesting parts during my four years of locksmithing . One interesting job was changing the locks for a couple who kept falling out . One week I would get a call from the girlfriend saying she had kicked the boyfriend out and wanted the locks changing . Then a few weeks later the boyfriend called wanting the locks changing after he had kicked her out . This kept going on for around two months . After a while I just said to them , look , I ’ ll show you how to change the locks yourselves , so you don ’ t have to keep calling me after an argument . But they still did anyway !
What excites and motivates me is learning a skill which most people don ’ t have . I have provided locksmith services for people who ( in my mind ) are far smarter than myself , doctors , lawyers ( even a judge ). Yet with all their intelligence and knowledge , in their mind I ’ m the genius . There are so many things to learn which can get you into doing more advanced jobs ( and , earning more money ). I believe any serious locksmith should be doing at least one training course a year to expand their skills . This makes you a better locksmith and allows to take on the harder jobs which most locksmiths can ’ t even provide a quote for . When it comes to van lock fitting in particular , it spans so many sectors . It is a matter of protecting people ’ s possessions and livelihood ; the importance of doing it properly is very rewarding .
Having a van broken into is a terrible experience . In some ways it ’ s worse than having your house broken into . When your ipad , jewellery etc is stolen it ’ s awful but it doesn ’ t stop your life . However , when someone ’ s van is broken into and their tools taken that can completely destroy someone ’ s business . The worst part is , sometimes the van owners are very sensible and take their tools in at
night instead of leaving them in the van . However , thieves will peel the doors open anyway , essentially destroying the vehicle , just to have a look . Imagine that , thousands of pounds of damage just so some thief could have a peep into your van .
I used to be so paranoid about van theft when I first started that I had a model dummy ( like a clothes shop mannequin ) in the back of my van . My van had a tinted window in the back , so my logic was , if someone had a look inside it would look as though there was someone sleeping in the van . I ’ m not sure if it worked that way but my van never got broken into .
I don ’ t do that anymore , now I have installed van locks on my own van . This is got me into installing them for other people too ( locks , not mannequins !). I noticed many locksmiths were scared of fitting van locks due to the same old reason of : ‘ I don ’ t want to cut holes in someone ’ s van ,’ but with the right training , there really is nothing to fear .
Anyone interested in my online van locks training introduction course , please contact me through my website for further information : www . LemonLocksmith . co . uk
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JAN / FEB 2023
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