Lock picking

I learned how easy it was to pick locks after I learned to build cylinders.
There is a finesse to it. You learn to "feel" the cylinder give a little as each pin/gate is pushed into place.
It's hard to describe the feel, you either can or you can't.
I have a couple of those "determinator's" set up for mopar lock cylinders. They work ok, but without a key punch, they're useless. I have 2 Curtis clippers and a Pak-A-Punch clipper. I also own a Ilco duplicator and a Curtis duplicator with EZ code cutting function. The key machine I love is my Exacta MK1, but it's been discontinued and finding plates and depth knobs for older stuff is nearly impossible.
The real trick will be when you can simply look at a key, and can cut one from sight. I've taken pictures of all my car keys just in case I lose one, I can make one.
But the Lock-picking Lawyer is great. He's shown me how to defeat a bunch of locks.
Your dad was right, locks only keep honest people honest.