Home > News > MLA Western Region 2024 Weekend Event

MLA Western Region 2024 Weekend Event

Join us for the MLA Western Region Meeting !

This is great opportunity to develop new skills through our comprehensive training program and connect with other locksmiths.

Date: October 4th-6th, 2024
Location: Unit 30, Portishead Business Park in Portishead, Bristol

For just £60, our Members Weekend Training & Dinner Pass includes all training sessions on Saturday and Sunday, plus a delightful dinner on Saturday evening. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn, network, and explore!

Book your spot today!

Simply download the information pack, complete the booking form and email Paul Watts on mlawesternregion@yahoo.co.uk

Training

We’ve got an extensive training programme which includes:

Safes with Jon Drake – Join us on for some hands on safe training
Abus – Cylinder pinning and assembly
Codelocks – Demonstration of new products including mechanical and electronic locking solutions
3D Group (Auto Class) – Working live on Vauxhall and Mercedes
ALS Lock – Brian James will give an introduction to their tools & how to use them
Safes with Jon Drake – A class focusing on the current models of digital/electronic safes
UPVC Class with Andrew Tristram – Remove the fear about removing the glass and learn new techniques that can earn you some extra income
Access control systems – An introductory class designed show how to install Access Control Systems and diagnosing faults if they go wrong.

Due to the sensitive nature of some classes, attendees must either be MLA members, have a DBS check (please bring the certificate), or be accompanied/vouched for by an MLA member.

Spotlight on:

UPVC Class with Andrew Tristram: Removing the Fear about Removing the Glass

ADD, EXPAND or IMPROVE a lucrative revenue stream for your business.

In this class, delivered by Andy Tristram, we will take a deep dive into replacing glass sealed units and rectifying badly glazed windows and doors.
We will discuss and cover the preliminary checks and adjustments to hinges prior to rushing in and removing or adjusting the door position through the “Toe & Heeling” principle. This is particularly useful if you are following behind a handyman (or a homeowner/YouTuber) who has already attempted to adjust things and already made the situation worse. Product assessment can be a real time saver!

Aspects to be covered:

Types of glazing beads you will come across, from mitred or over scribed and where to start releasing them from the frame/glass and how to avoid bruising or damaging the bead or frame.
Glazing beads that you cannot remove in the traditional method and need an alternative tool
External glazed windows that have double sided security tape or security clips
Aluminium beads and how the removal process of these might differ from UPVC.
Types of safety glass and where you need to ensure you use safety glass when installing replacement glass units. (Also useful for knowing where window restrictors are legally required and increasing your order value by including them)
Make you fully aware of what Bridge packers are and why they are so important to use
Selecting the right width glazing packer and avoiding glass slippage and sealed unit separation. (Including what to look for if glass sealed units have already slipped, what to explain to the customer and what NOT to do, to create a bigger problem on the day.)
The measuring, specification and the ordering of glass will also be covered.
“Toe & Heeling” a Bi-fold door and the common error we come across.
*Time permitting* Discuss fitting replacement hinges on doors/windows – and in relation to doors, the conversion from pencil hinges, that have no adjustment, to Flag hinges.

At the end of this session:

You should be able to tackle the adjustment, removal and where required the replacement of glass sealed units with confidence.
Whilst door adjustment and “Toe & Heeling” is an integral part of our “day to day” work, once you have confidence, you can promote and carry out the replacement of misted sealed units, removal of leaded windows and converting to clear glass (or vice versa) and this can be a very lucrative addition to your revenue and help keep your diary more fully booked with appointments.