Tool Tips

Tool Tips Collection

This is a collection of published Electronics Tool Tips…

All articles are copyrighted material as stated thereon; photo credits are given as appropriate and are also stated thereon. If no specific photo credit is given, the photo is the intellectual property of and is copyrighted by CMS in Pitman, NJ USA.

As you read these articles, please feel free to drop me an email with any questions that you may have. I will be happy to provide an explanation for any of the material that you may find to be confusing.

A new feature, effective 23 March 2024, is that the article titles in the listings below will from this point on also be live links to those articles!

Tool Tip #1 – Tube Pin StraightenerTool Tip #2 – Tube Puller
Take a look at this useful tool for repairing bent pins on vacuum tubes…Here is a handy tool that makes it easy to remove and install many vacuum tubes in tight quarters…
Tool Tip #3 – Component Lead Bending JigsTool Tip #4 – Desoldering Pump
This tip discusses the quick and easy way to get precisely-bent component leads to fit the PCB hole spacing…Read about a desoldering pump that is a great entry-level tool for the hobbyist…
Tool Tip #5 – Hot TweezersTool Tip #6 – Solder Wick and Flux
When it comes to soldering and desoldering SMD components, this tool is an ace…Some advice about the ubiquitous solder wick and how to boost its performance…
Tool Tip #7 – Static-Free TweezersTool Tip #8 – Lighted Magnifier
Here is a set of tweezers in various configurations that will not static-zap your sensitive components…This Tool Tip talks about the multi-lens lighted magnifier that I use for working with SMD components and fine close-up detail work…
Tool Tip #9 – Cable TesterTool Tip #10 – Infrared Thermometer
Testing cables with different connectors can be a task, especially when it is impossible to reach into the connector to get to the contact.  Here is a tool that makes the job easy…Temperature of components in an operating circuit can tell a lot about the operation of that circuit, and this thermometer makes reading those temperatures a snap…
Tool Tip #11 – Dual-View LoupeTool Tip #12 – PCB “Rotisserie” Vise
Trying to read the markings on miniaturized components can be very difficult, but this handy device makes the job much easier…Supporting PCB’s for stuffing and soldering is much easier with this handy vise…
Tool Tip #13 – Ribbon Wire StripperTool Tip #14 – Solder Pot
Stripping ribbon wire can be tricky, until you try this stripper, which makes the job a cinch…This handy piece of equipment makes tinning a multitude of wires into an easy task…
Tool Tip #15 – Hand-held Frequency CounterTool Tip #16 – Pin Vise & Twist Drill Set
Checking the effectiveness or accuracy of programming a radio is a snap with the use of this tool…This is a low-cost pin vise that comes complete with a set of twenty metric twist drills from 0.3mm to 1.6mm diameter…
Tool Tip #17 – Safety Wire PliersTool Tip #18 – Strain Relief Bushing Pliers
Safety wire pliers are the perfect tool for winding accurate bifilar and trifilar toroidal coils…You no longer have the choice between damaging strain relief bushings by installing them with standard pliers, or else spending a small fortune to buy the Heyco tool(s) for this task…
Tool Tip #19 – DIP IC Extractor PliersTool Tip #20 – DIP IC Pin Straightener
Removing IC’s in DIP packages is much easier when the right tool is used.  This tool makes it easy to extract DIP IC’s from sockets or from direct-soldered installations…Preparing DIP OIC’s for insertion into a DIP socket or into a PCB can be a fussy ordeal.  This tool makes preparing the IC pins for insertion an easy task…
Tool Tip #21 – Hair-Thin Rosin-Core SolderTool Tip #22 – Measuring Tweezers
Installing SMT components, even multi-pin SOIC packages, can seem like an easy job when the best supplies are used.  This tip explains how to use some super-thin rosin-core solder for the job…Making component value measurements on certain SMD (SMT) components has never been easier than it is with this unique tool…
Tool Tip #23 – Handheld Radio Destuffing ToolTool Tip #24 – Toroid Winding Aids
Removing and installing those pesky slotted round nuts on volume controls, antenna bases, and so forth on handheld radios is made much easier with this handy tool…We all have at least some difficulty when winding toroidal coils and transformers, especially the small ones. These tools make the job a lot easier…
Tool Tip #25 – Liquid Storage and Dispensing BottlesTool Tip #26 – Tap Magic
Having certain solvents available on the repair bench is a must when doing certain repairs, and that problem is made quite simple with these bottles…It is indisputable that machining metals of all types is easier and causes less wear and tear on the cutting tools when a proper cutting fluid is used. This Tool Tip discusses some of the best of these products…
Tool Tip #27 – HS-02B Soldering IronTool Tip #28 – Wire Splicing Jig
Sometimes, a really fine tip soldering iron is needed, but you may not want to give up heating capacity. This tool fills that need quite nicely…Now and then, we find it difficult to position a wire just right for soldering a splice. This tool is one that makes that job much simpler…
Tool Tip #29 – Another Wire Splice JigTool Tip #30 – Drilled Hole Touch-Up
If the last Tool Tip did not grab you, maybe this one will. It is another type of wire splicing jig, but for single wires only,,,Nothing looks quite as bad as a bright metal rim around a drilled hole in painted or anodized aluminum. In this Tool Tip, we explain how to hide those drill edges…
Tool Tip #31 – Automatic Center PunchTool Tip #32 – DVOM Probe Kit
Using an automatic center punch can be painful to arthritic hands, but this particular type solves that issue…Having the right assortment of tips and accessories for a DVOM makes certain measurements much easier…