You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

For years I used only one key for my truck. The ignition and drivers door lock uses the same J key. I finally bought two J keys off this board. I found a local semi-retired locksmith in a nearby town. He not only keyed the two keys that I bought off the board but sold me two more keys for $2 each. So for $6 I purchased two more keys and he keyed 6 keys for me. What a deal!

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

I have heard knowing a good locksmith is the key to having a good life. :lol:

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

I went to a local (chain) hardware store to get an extra set of keys cut for my Cadillac.

My first red flag should have been when the moron at the counter asked me what they were for? They clearly say GM on them and are not uncommon.

I tell him an 82 Cadillac.

What model?

(sigh) An Eldorado. As if it makes a difference.

He say. "Well I don't know if we have that one'.

Really? It's a standard key. GM put them in everything. This guy makes keys and doesn't know that?

So he finally finds the blanks and cut the keys. I go home and they don't work. ( Big shock) So I go back. Different guy now. He knows what they are and the second set work just fine.

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

People aren't born knowing things. You must learn to do something.
I don't blame the ignorant people, I blame companies for making every employee on the floor using the key grinder even though they are not all experienced.
These companies do not care that their employees are useless. They still make lots and lots of money.

Even the "good ole boy" mechanics that we know as "the best mechanics we ever knew"--even those old guys had a first day on the job where they didn't know jack squat. Ya gotta learn--and most importantly you gotta have someone who cares that you must learn.

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

I had a local Ace Hardware store try to copy a well-worn A key for Ignition/Doors on my '71 GMC Jimmy.
They tried 3 times. Finally the last key would only work on the ignition. [I suspect that, after 51 years, a Slot Bladed Craftsman Screwdriver will also work in the ignition lock.]
They refunded my charge.
Since the key sampled was between 51 and 27 years old, there was considerable wear on the teeth.
Because my truck was in the Tire Shop, I only need an ignition key for that afternoon.
Ace let me take #3 key for free, since it was defective.
I have since found my Jimmy spare, and it's in much better shape, so I may have that one copied.

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

This^^^^^^^^ how do you learn **** unless someone trains or shows you.
There is no thing as instant experience!

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

That's what I told the girls when I was in school.

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

<cues Jimi Page> :lol:

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

Previously I took a set of keys to a local hardware store and they were not able to get the keys properly keyed … this lock smith had all four keys spot on

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

When I was going thru this I sent Leon a couple keys/lock cylinders and some money and he did the magic. 1 key operates everything but the tool and stowage box because it used a different style key than everything else, and since they are made of unobtanium I was perfectly fine with that:lol:

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

Leon is the best. He helped me with keys for my Packard. The kid at Autozone didn't even know what a Packard was. But then again most people don't.

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

My good friend and next door neighbor is one - he keeps everything going for me..

Re: You got to love semi-retired lock smiths.
 

I liked the earlier octagon GM keys and ignition switches you could leave "unlocked" and still turn the switch. I had a '63 Riviera stolen and retrieved unharmed. The P.O.S. tossed the keys when he ran it out of gas. I didn't have a spare. When I went to get it from the trooper's barracks to bring it home I was expecting to need a locksmith. But I brought the key to my '55 car and it worked!