essential lockpick, most versatile?

[scrubmonkey]

well i noticed a broken hacksaw blade amongst all the rc gear on my bench in the shed and heard tht they make alright lockpicks. i tried awhile go with a paperclip (come on, everyone has at some point) and no avail. but this time im looking to make a couple of proper tools. for now ive got enough material for two picks, what would you recomend? from research so far it would ba a hook and a half ball... and a tension wrench of course. ive got a few spare lockwood padlocks here i can work on. any help will be appreciated. also what is the main difference in technique between picking a lock with a pin tumbler and a wafer one?

[GWiens2001]

Hook and a half diamond would be my choice for a hacksaw blade.

Gordon

[scrubmonkey]

i have got some templates for them. cant seem to find the thread again to post a link. cant get onto a photo site to upload it either because of restrictions on the school laptop. but ill go with them for now, im pretty sure i can find a bit of metal for the torsion wrenches in the shed also.

[GWiens2001]

Wiper inserts make great torsion wrenches.

Gordon

[scrubmonkey]

heard about that. ill try find an old set, i think i remember seeing some in there somewhere

[MrWizard]

A hook and half diamond as Gordon said would be my choice too in that order. I say always try a hook pick first and diamond second if the hook won't fit well. For beginners that are just learning I suggest getting single commercial picks as they are cheap and you are sure to bend and break a few and would not want that to happen to a pick you worked so hard on that you made yourself.

Richard

[cuttinedge1]

do a double sided hook/half diamond the other could be a rake and a offset diamond or a ball