Pad alignment tool

Use a couple of pieces of cardboard from a cereal packet.

This kind of thing?

Yep. I use mine regularly. So good I bought a few for the riding mates too.
https://www.weirdosonbikes.com/product/disc-brake-spacers/

I just use an Allen key, I have a pad spacer tool but it is worse to use, making sure the pistons are properly lubricated makes the biggest difference, they move dead easily when they're lubed.

Edit: ah, I thought you meant to push them back in. I've looked at that tool now and again I don't know why you'd need it, just use a flat blades screwdriver to push on the back of the brake pad opposite to the piston(s) you want to push back in, like the 'centralising pistons' Hope video. They move dead easily iif they're lubed up and clean.

Nope, but I'm pretty sure it's a generic Aliexpress item which is a fraction of their price direct from China.

Edit. £1.70 here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002342362799.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.11.7c751e0befa2ks&algo_pvid=b5e040ff-f859-4ce7-af96-c2c747f5ecfc&algo_exp_id=b5e040ff-f859-4ce7-af96-c2c747f5ecfc-5&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000020188397691%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%212.13%211.7%21%21%21%21%21%402100b77316728649491596302d074b%2112000020188397691%21sea&curPageLogUid=FF7sCtGcJwHa

I've got an old one, maybe magura? Nice wee thing, the handle/stowing thing is a sort of faux brake disk. Never use it though, I just pull on the brake and let the caliper self-center itself. Way I see it, if that doesn't work then centring the caliper manually is probably not going to be ideal either since the caliper either wants to be centred or it doesn't.

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I just take the pads out and centralise the caliper by eyeballing the the disc through the leading and trailing slot. You want the caliper central, not the pads.

Doesn't work for maguras because of the design of the caliper. But for hope and Shimano check out the r3pro 3d printed caliper align tool. Just a square block of the right thickness with a slot for the rotor, but it works really well and removes the guess work. Any adjustment can then be done with the pistons rather then setting the caliper wonky.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-bonas-labs-disc-o-matic-is-a-brake-bedding-machine-for-bike-shops.html

get this at the same time

I use the hope method - seeing as I have hopes.  I have no idea what that tool is supposed to do

Yep,got one like scotroutes and use it all the time.  Simple wee thing and does the job nicely. Used to just pull the levers and nip the bolts up progressively but that method seems more reliable with this tool.  Don't know why though

All of these things work on the (janky) principle that you're centering the pads to the rotor, whereas what you should be doing is centering the caliper to the rotor.

Then fix your piston travel issues. Either manually and laboriously or just go ride and let nature take its toll.

nice link @scotroutes, wanted to try the tool but I'm not paying a tenner for one. Cheers

I have the Birzman ones and they work well. We’re pretty cheap as well. I assume these are knockoffs of that one as I think they were the original.

Only cost me a few quid on CRC (I think I had to buy something else small to get the free free postage).

Then fix your piston travel issues. Either manually and laboriously or just go ride and let nature take its toll

I taught the wife how to fix a sticky piston over the Xmas break, she can now re-seat, clean and re-align her own brake pistons!

I quite fancy one of the alignment tools, just because it's another bike tool, but I've never had an issue with aligning the calipers. Both Shimano and SRAM, undo caliper bolts, pull brake on hard, tighten bolts, perfect !

If you've a sticky piston then that needs fixing.

Both Shimano and SRAM, undo caliper bolts, pull brake on hard, tighten bolts, perfect !

Same here. Although eventually all callipers seem to get one lazy piston which needs cleaning out.

I got my first hydro discs in 96 and have messed around with them ever since.
I bought one of these on a whim and its actually very handy. Pop it over the disc, undo the caliper bolts, pull the brake lever and tighten the bolts. Its much easier than with an old bank card.
One of those tools you dont think you need until you buy it.
I quite bad for upgrading brakes, calipers etc and for me it's a solid purchase.