I was looking at my tool case, and tought I'd ask : '' What would you keep if you had to carry only one tool to do maintnance / repair on your pinball?? ''

Here's my first tought, it might be the original curved jaw locking plier.

Cause I use it almost everywhere when I can't find the right tool to do the job ( I don't know at your place, but at my place, I can't seem to find a tool when I need it... )
I know my multimeter would be second....

That's it!

Eric

That's easy....



Magnetic nut driver!  This thing saves me more frustration then I could ever imagine I could never live without this tool ever again!

I agree with Adam, anything magnetic is great.  I also love the retractable magnetic wand for reaching into the cabinet and the magnetic bowl to keep all the loose parts together.

I'll go out on a limb and say the most important tools I rely on aren't in my toolbox...  The lump pearched on my shoulders and my hands are probably the #1 / #2 combo.  

But if I had to pick one tool, I would say my soldering iron ranks pretty high.

D

For me thats easy ... my can of Budweiser.

Now being serious.  My friend had this tool kit in the shape of a beer can.  I had lent him one of my pins and at one point I needed to do a repair at his place.  Out comes the can.

The thing was so handy had just about everything, and could fit in my pocket if necessary. I was like can I borrow this?

Fast forward 3-4 years later I decided that I should buy my own and give his back to him.

After some searching I found this discontinued novelty item from the original supplier that had a few left kicking around.  I had to order six in one go. To me worth every penny.

I constantly use this item when shopping out a pin.  Maybe there is something better out there.   But this thing can't be beat in terms of portability.  This and a ratchet always comes with me when acquiring a new pin.

FWIW - Out of the six I sold a few already, and gave one to a fellow pinhead who has helped me out on numerous occasions over the years (thanks 80s.fan). But I have one or two more left to sell(NIB)  if anyone is interested just send me a PM.


- EDIT -
One is now sold ..
Other is tentativly sold
$10.00

contains:
20 - Cr-V Bits: Slotted 5/32, 3/16,1/4,9/32"
Phillips #0, #1, #2, #3
Pozidrive #0 , #1, #2, #3
Hex 5/32, 1/8, 3/16,1/4"
Star T15, T20, T25, T30
8 - 1/4" Dr. Sockets - Cr-V 6150 Steel
3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16"
1 - �" Dr. Magnetic Bit Holder
1 - Socket Adapter
1 - Flexible Bit Driver
1 - compact beer can carrying case

Wow... tough one. My pinball tool box is a Craftsman mechanics tool chest filled to the brim. But I would have to say my OTC 100 multimeter. Remember... the best tool to have is the one that will tell you what the problem is... not the one to fix a problem. I have had this thing since I studied auto mechanics on the side in 1995. The best 200$ I ever spent. I use it ALL the time. 13 years later, it still works great. It is an auto-range so no fusssing on a stupid dial. You can spend a lot of time trying to figure out where a problem is without a multimeter and spend a lot of money on useless parts. My second would also be another multimeter, but this one is an old analog multimeter, and it is 40 years old!!!!! My father in law was an electronics tech at CN and bought it when he was 18. He retired 6 years ago at 52 (lucky bastard...) and gave it to me... invaluable for measuring power fluctuations... the needle never lies!!!  

Quoted from Sparky

My second would also be another multimeter, but this one is an old analog multimeter, and it is 40 years old!!!!! My father in law was an electronics tech at CN and bought it when he was 18. He retired 6 years ago at 52 (lucky bastard...) and gave it to me... invaluable for measuring power fluctuations... the needle never lies!!!  

Same here Sparky ... I received an analog multimeter back when I was in college (it was included in the tuition I think), it's now 29 years old and it's the only one I use. Think I have replaced the probes/lead about ten times since I got it. I bought a high-end Fluke DMM about 10-15 years ago & had it out of box maybe a dozen times or so. Just can't substitute that needle.  

Hey!  I was also a Technician for CN, and then CNCP between 1980 - 1990 !!!!!
I didn't get to retire though ... when the mechanical Telex machine bit the dust in favour of the electronic fax machine, (then of course the 'net), the outfit seperated itself from the railroads & they just kinda went for a dump along with a bunch of jobs  

DMM all the way baby!!

I use a nice Fluke 179.  It has a bar at the bottom of the screen that responds like a needle - even if not as "twitchy" as a real needle I find it adequate for pinball repair use...

Mike

the power  (with magnetic bits, of course)

The internet. Information is power.

Quite honestly without the information available like PDF manuals and sites like Marvin, we all would be hooped with the exception of some operators. This hobby would not have the same following without the information available.

Mind you, you could probably buy MM's for $500 from an op that wouldn't know what it could sell for.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

Mind you, you could probably buy MM's for $500 from an op that wouldn't know what it could sell for.

But there would be no RGP to tell you 6K is a good price for that game...  

I second that
Saves your hands allot and allot faster

Quoted from Mrhide

the power  (with magnetic bits, of course)

Quoted from Azatotht

But there would be no RGP to tell you 6K is a good price for that game...  

Beats the hell out of the guys asking $10,000 on Ebay.

Quoted from Meat Popsicle

One is now sold .. one left $10.00

contains:
20 - Cr-V Bits: Slotted 5/32, 3/16,1/4,9/32"
Phillips #0, #1, #2, #3
Pozidrive #0 , #1, #2, #3
Hex 5/32, 1/8, 3/16,1/4"
Star T15, T20, T25, T30
8 - 1/4" Dr. Sockets - Cr-V 6150 Steel
3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16"
1 - ¼" Dr. Magnetic Bit Holder
1 - Socket Adapter
1 - Flexible Bit Driver
1 - compact beer can carrying case

Still got it? I will take it if you do.  Do you have a PayPal account?

Quoted from Pharoah007

Still got it? I will take it if you do.  Do you have a PayPal account?

Its tentatively sold while I get them a shipping quote.  If they back out I will PM you.

Without a doubt MIT is Mean Green and Blue Towels.  

Quoted from Meat Popsicle

Its tentatively sold while I get them a shipping quote.  If they back out I will PM you.

Ok, no prob...let me know.

Z.