I would be hard-pressed to call it my favorite, but I kind of dig how low-tech but useful they are: craft wood sticks.

They’re good for all kinds of things, like spreading glue into tight spots in a broken cabinet. Another good use is for prodding switch blades when the game is turned on and you don’t want to get shocked or create a short, like you could with a screwdriver or other metal instrument.

For example, I had marginal switch on a game. It looked like it was making, but a couple of pokes with one of these sticks confirmed the switch needed adjustment.

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Safe and effective way to remove bulbs. The skinny end works on #47; the fat end works on larger bulbs.

https://www.newark.com/idec/or-55/lamp-led-removal-tool-sw-pilot/dp/31B2845?st=or-55

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Homemade "switch keeper" using a plastic-wrapped wire (commonly used in packaging of small electronics cables) and a nut. I remove one screw, insert one switch keeper, remove the second screw, insert the second switch keeper, lift the switch stack off its bracket and twist the two wire ends together. Order is preserved even if the stack comes apart.

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These little binder clips do a nice job keeping switch stacks together.

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Great idea!

Don't have a pic, but my new favorite is a pair of needle nose, with a 45 degree bend in the nose. Find myself constantly reaching for them as they get into places easier than straight needle nose. And I can see past my hand and the handles when reaching straight down for something.

I used to wrap the stack with paper tape, but this is faster and easier .

Hands down my number one favorite EM tool.

My wife bought me this for Fathers Day... perfect timing... worked awesomely for keeping small parts handy while repopulating my Funland playfield... the magnets are the perfect strength for holding parts snugly. You get a large and a small huggie in the box; Highly recommended!!!

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This miniature vacuum set is great for getting into those hard to reach areas inside your pinball cabinet. They didn't invent this for pinball, but they might as well have - it's perfect. A reducer (seen bottom left) fits over the end of your existing "big" vacuum cleaner.

https://www.micromark.com/Miniature-Vacuum-Kit

Also available on Amazon.

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My little Minion friend does a dandy job of scrubbing grimy score reels, leaving them minty-fresh - and never loses that smile.

$5 at wallyworld includes batteries.

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Maybe not my favorite but certainly very useful-using a tube cutter to cut a coil sleeve to correct length. Must use a push rod inside the sleeve to prevent it being distorted.

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use a plastic tubing cutter

Not sure what you are specifically referring to but the tool I use provides a perfect undetectable finish so no need to change.

Just finished my Pinball Teststation from EM spareparts for testing lamps and coils (AC and DC):

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Good idea to fasten them to the screws. I was trying to clip them onto the switch stack itself but that's pretty clumsy and difficult to do with the screws in the way.

Don't the binder clips ruin the screw threads?

Not that I’ve ever noticed, and I’ve secured hundreds of switch stacks using these binder clips. The pinching force is considerable, but nothing like a vise or a clamp.

This binder clip trick is great! Been doing since I saw the tip here. Thanks again for posting it!

My favorite tool is the pinball cart
You can alone move a Pinball, set it up and load it into the car
Greetings Pit

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These Em Tools are indispensable to me. A cordless gyro drill and a set of split screwdrivers.

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Leaf adjuster If used correctly

actually... my leaf contact pliers, drill....pop in contact...squish.... forget about ordering new leaf switches and open beer.
happy days.

love the fact that you use em just to test safely and not adjust\butcher.... gives me hope for humanity

My most useful home item tool is a Sharpie cap with a rubber band. I use it to remove light bulbs.
Stick the rubber band in the cap as shown and use it to release light bulbs. If you have a skinner bulb then use two bands or just double the rubber band over.

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just scored this vintage Neusus Motorolla relay adjusting kit today off of Craigslist for $20, super nice quality, very heavy duty

I use pencil grips or an old shooter tip for light bulb grabbing.

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An old EM shooter tip rubber works beautifully. Tape it to a rod if you want but it works handheld too.

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