The SOPL uses this great course manual as part of the STI Training. Now the authors have made it available for only $9.99 on Amazon. You will get a fantastic primer on Safe Manipulation, Wheel Packs, Dialing, Graphs, Amplification and more. It makes safe manipulation easy to understand, less intimidating. Moving on to Group II locks afterwards is much easier after learning the basic concepts.

The SOPL hosts a comprehensive test and certificate for this e-book material. If you purchase this e-book and want to access the testing, let SOPL Admin know and we will use some of your membership VIrtual Dollars as payment. If your not a member, contact us to discuss access and cost to the test.

This e-book course material nails the topic and makes it fun to learn.

Click on the image to get yours today!

I remember when I was first starting out as a locksmith, I would hear all kinds of stories about a company who made key machines that we built like tanks, tough as nails and could even survive falling from moving service vans and still produce a precision cut key to one-half thousandth of an inch (.0005"). These stories were further reinforced by the inventor, who would even showed this off at many trade shows by dropping the machine from the table, picking it up and cutting a  perfect key. 

This company is Framon Manufacturing Company, Inc., 909 Washington Ave. Alpena, MI 49707 Phone: (989) 354-5623 and the inventor was Frank Agius. The Framon brand was built upon a code machine which was first shipped in 1972 and remains one of their best selling machines.The Framon #1 or #2 are the best code cutting machines a beginning locksmith can choose and here is why.

Aside from the durable nature of the Framon brand, their code cutting key machines cut keys using what is known as "In Line Feed" cutting as opposed to a "Radial Arc". With an In-Line Feed, the key approaches the cutter at a 90° angle, ensuring a square cut on the bottom of the key. 

Even this is not absolutely perfect; high and low blade keys still have a very slight variance from one side to the other when compared to other machines using a Radial Arc Feed. Shown here, there is a very small effect on high and low blade keys (.0013” radial curve).

In comparison when we examine the Radial Arc fed keys we see where a double shear line can be created due to a larger variance. This type of problem is evident if you have ever cut a key that will turn a lock in one direction but not the other.While this factor alone will probably not affect many keys, it will become evident if the machine is not adjusted properly or if depth settings are off a few thousandths.

So the Framon product produces a near perfect key. Seasoned locksmiths know this and you can find a Framon in professional locksmiths around the world. But I mentioned this was the best code machine for beginners! The #1 & #2 code machines utilize a mechanical Space & Depth dial where the locksmith must manually rotate to exacting specifications. In contrast to Radial Arc fed mechanical machines which require cards. Cards cost money, specifications do not and are provided by Framon as new keys enter the market. 

By having to dial the key specifications into position, the beginning locksmith quickly learns the nuances and appreciation of key making or the engineering behind it. I don't know of any seasoned locksmith who is willing to give up their Framon machine. So from beginners to old timers, the Framon key machines is a best choice.

Forget carrying or storing a bunch of screwdrivers. Forget about popping, unscrewing or losing a handle cap. Forget about having really short bits that are not meant for the real world. FireHawk Technology of Key West FL. offers the Picquic screwdrivers which store multiple bits in the handle for ease of identification and retrieval! 

Change the bit in seconds with no moving parts to break or lose. The screw bits are power-rated for power drivers and still the screwdrivers & bits carry a lifetime warranty! With colorful high-impact resin handles, strong magnetic bit retention and even shaft bolsters on all models. Picquic drivers are tools that will impress you with features simply not found on other multi-bit drivers.  

Your Picquic screwdriver may hold 7 bits, but Picquic makes more than 60 bits for your convenience! FireHawk pioneered the custom-loaded concept for you, to save money and time.  You can custom-load most Picquic drivers with the bits that YOU want and use. Simply choose the bits online that you want. Your Picquic driver becomes uniquely yours, with only the bits YOU need the most. FireHawk Technology stocks all the models of Picquic drivers and bits. Not only that, but they custom load your driver for you, typically filling your order within 24 hours!

Society of Professional Locksmiths independent product testers give Picquic a 5 star rating!

"I personally like the SixPac Plus driver with the longer three inch bits, making removing screws from Key-In-Knob locks easy. I have nothing but praise for these tools with no cons whatsoever."                                                                                                                                               Locksmith Tom Gorham
. 
"The grip is really nice ergonomically, a good fit to my hand. Also, the whole thing feels nice and heavy, it has a nice heft to it, and immediately I think "good quality".                          
                                                                                                                        Locksmith Brant Anderson

Upon first glance, The Sparrows UNCUFF LINK appears to be a standard pair of cuff links. However, a covert, hidden handcuff key has been engineered in to the design. This concealed hand cuff key will to open almost all Standard Hand cuffs. It’s also designed to hold your French Cuffs closed. A must have for any international SPY or the average citizen looking for some styling carbon fiber inlaid cuff links that happen to open Hand cuffs.

THIS ITEM IS PATENT PENDING

source...Sparrow Lock Picks