Hey pretty cool.

Screwdriver and shop vac are my go to tools whenever I start working on an EM pinball machine.

Yea, those are cute. I have a standard alligator jumper but can be a pain cliping in in tight locations. Give us the URL and I'll order some.

Its great to jumper across 8 reels of a 4p game when first firing one up.

beer. repairs seem less annoying when a cold beverage is involved

And many cervesas, amigo.

If I’m working on a Gottlieb: Flat head screwdriver.

Anything else: pair of regular ‘ol pliers and a Phillips head screwdriver.

Neat! So which of these do you recommend? (Can't find model number)

http://catalog.e-z-hook.com/category/test-hooks

Cold Beer
Screw drivers/pliers
File for switch contacts like flippers
Dremel with a brass brush
Soldering iron and solder

The rest is making it easy or pretty. Extra beer encourages friends to help- highly recommended, now I just need some friends

Nobody mentioned a switch adjusting tool.

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How about a flat file for cleaning up those nasty contacts? ok burnishing tool. I also need a nail set and a hammer when working on the cabs.

wait for it, Nick and his dremel tool.

although not an essential i do like this on my work cart. A magnetizer/demagnitizer for screw drivers and dental hooks and what else have you . can be found for under 5 bucks

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Most def some jumpers, a schematic, soldering iron, screw driver, wire cutter, switch adjuster, wood glue and a circuit breaker!!

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I had always been frustrated on some machines by access to nuts on pop bumper rings & shafts. Made up this tool from a socket & unused sink drainer. Works a treat.

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https://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Icon-Headlamp/dp/B01LE9Z8PW/ref=dp_ob_title_sports

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First tool I grab when working on pins - everytime.

A little toonich is mostly always a nice little plus, and those bowlers can have
some pretty tight bulb inserts, but those vari-acs (maybe that's how it's spelled),
can be a huge asset. No more going to the (Bally for 50V, C.C. for 30) coin reject
Relays to check out coils and motors..

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Pal Nut removal tool.

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Glass suction cup. 4 bucks at Harbor Freight. Great for removing a slide out backglass. Pull forward slightly while sliding glass out to prevent ink loss from light board scraping. Great for bingo glass.
Also good for removing stuck playfield glass.

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I remember using these (commercial grade) on a job placing in 6' X 10' tempered glass.
Never would have thought it could be gotten for just a few bucks. Super handy to have.
I remember getting in a pinball machine (Palooka I think) and someone jammed a 1/4"
playfield glass (well the same width and length of a playfield glass) into it, and while struggling
to get it out, I was thinking of those cups that I had once used..

Since restoring an EM is 80% cleaning for me, my favorite tools are my cleaning and polishing supplies:

Bon Ami, Gain dishwashing soap, a toothbrush and a 3m Scotch Brite pad.

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Note: The rubbing and polishing compounds seen in the background have been retired from their EM cleaning duties.

Swisspers 100% Cotton Rounds, Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish and Mothers Carnauba wax. 500 grit sandpaper is good for removing rust and crud.

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Isopropyl alcohol, thousands of Q-Tips and...

...yep, fairly new to my kit but use it and love it - Dremel with #443 1/8th inch carbon steel brushes!

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One of my favorite accessories to pinball repair is a magnetic parts bowl. I often use the bottom of the bowl (the big magnet) to magnetize my screwdrivers if I'm working in a tight area and need to keep a screw on the tip of the driver. Just "swipe" the screwdriver on the bottom--always going in the same direction (never back and forth)--5 or 6 times to magnetize. I've found that my cheaper screwdrivers lose their magnetism over a couple of days/weeks, so its not a permanent thing either, which is nice.

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All good selections so far! Had not seen the magnetized/demag “card” before. That could be cool... playfield disassembly is about 10 times faster than reassembly... because you have to hold all the damn screws in place and it’s crowded in some places.... I never can remember which screw driver is magnetized and it’s always changing, or seems like it!

One of my favorites is the lighted Harbor Freight "Magnetic Flexible Pickup Tool" for snaking under the mech panel (with the assistance of a mirror) to reach the screws which elude my catcher towel.

Lately for me, a tumbler.

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Some very good ideas in here I’ll have to use.
Here’s one I use that not only helps me from losing small metal parts, but also acts as my screwdriver magnetizer when putting those small screws back in place. Just scrape the screwdriver a few times in the dish to magnetize it enough to hold those little screws.

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My brain. Best for logical troubleshooting. Followed closely by a flashlight, contact adjusters and burnishing tools. Sandpaper and the usual screwdrivers & nut drivers or 6 in 1 tool.

2 of these - 1 for playfield/main cab, 1 for backbox. I. Need. Lots. Of. Light..

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It is amazing how much you can accomplish with a flex stone, a couple screwdrivers and a switch adjuster.

Don't forget this, best rust remover ever:

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This has turned out to be a pretty good tool as well

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/forum/electro-mechanical

Sweet Dimension Mopar

That was a OLD toothbrush Pecos right?

Harbor Freight right mbaumle ?

Mine what I use the most Microfiber cloth. Simple but always using them.

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The tool I wish they would invent is a lost part robot that searches my basement floor and finds the all the little pieces I drop. Especially those difficult to replace clips that like to go flying across the room.

I like to call this tool "the persuader", use it all the time:

https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-369-2-Inch-Leverage-Linesman/dp/B00004SBD6

They already do aahgo see below.

It is hand powered.

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This one little tool has saved me many times.

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I use one of those to flatten playfield plastics and it works exceptionally.

If only those didn't break so easily....

This is my favorite em tool. Many different uses and it's fun to use. (of course eye protection should always be worn when using it)

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Novus, clip light, flexstone, socket cleaning stick and a electric screwdriver.

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Used to love these little magnetizer tools, but last couple times I used mine, I couldn't magnetize it very well. Anybody else have this problem?

Really frustrated me because I hate having magnetized items when not needed. Can mess with some electronics plus attracts rust/shavings obviously..

Some good stuff in this thread

My best EM tool not yet mentioned is my fiberglass eraser for cleaning contact points

https://www.eraser.com/products/fiberglass-brushes-erasers/e111c-metal-body-coarse-fybrglass-eraser-2/

Just noticed my post was incorrect. I meant I could not DEmagetize tools.

Newb here... could someone explain when, how, why, where you would use these fiberglass erasers? Just for electronic work or do they have other uses? Before soldering, after? (Thanks)

They work GREAT when doing board work to clean pads before soldering & anywhere else that needs a good pre-solder cleaning. Just make sure & have a bunch of extra tips on hand.

Yeah. If used them lightly on some edge connectors or pads when an eraser etc isn't enough. Not too often and not on switch contacts etc as there are many good options and those finerglass sticks are a little pricey if I remember (compaired to other options).

Definitely handy to have around though. Last time I used one was on the car stereo on the connectors for removable faceplate that was getting flakey.

It is fiberglass, so watch the dust from them. Probably not good for eyes lungs, skin, etc.