Wafer locks are one of the easiest to pick. They can be found in
cupboards, extinguisher boxes, etc. Haven't heard about
wafer-tumbler though. Tubular locks can't be picked with the
conventional picks like diamond shape tip, snake, rake, and a host
of other shapes. They require other type of special tools.
I make my own picks and torque wrench(an important tool alot of ppl
miss out) from stainless steel rods. I grind them with a machine to
the shape I want and then polish it with a buffer machine. It it
important that your tools are extremely smooth. It gives u more
feed back when you're racking the pins. I can also open some locks
with paper clips but it requires alot more time and usually leaves
your fingers sore after.
What most lock picker wannabes don't realise is how much torque to
apply on the wrench. You can never set all the pins until you grasp
the art of applying the right torque, which may need constant
adjustment throughout the picking process.
In fact, I've been into this hobby for 3 years. I never pick to
steal, or other people's private spaces. I usually leave my picks
in my car because many a times I've locked myself outside the
house. That means I've to pick two doors to get inside my house.
Picking a lock and setting the last pin, the sudden rush when the
cylinder rotates, the feeling is indescribable.
The hardest lock I've come across have some sort of false set,
which makes it extremely hard to pick, which I've never succeeded.
Given time and study on it, I can unlock it.
Generally, under Singapore law you cannot own lock picks or tools
that allow you to open locks unless you are a locksmith. So if the
police find those stuffs on you and let's say you have prior
convictions of break-in or such, you can get yourself into deep
trouble. Other than that, you'll most probably be issued a
warning.
Edit: For me, I use only a half diamond and a torque wrench for
most of the locks I pick. They work like wonder. You don't need
that many different type
of picks.
