Tachometer for chain saws

[JD Guy]

My hearing is really bad and in order to keep what little I have left I need to tune saws with hearing protection. That prevents me from hearing the subtle changes from too lean too rich. I only need this for my use and for my two sons saws. Anyone with some first hand experience that could make some recommendations?
Thanks Much!

[doc henderson]

not me, but I want to follow along!

[rusticretreater]

You could buy one of the aftermarket tachs that you wrap a sensor wire around the sparkplug wire.  This is kind of problematic in that most plugs are now under covers so you can use the saw in the elements.  

Another solution is to have your son learn how to do it. Just sayin.

[bluthum]

I have one of those that you have to wrap the wire around the plug wire units. Works great, inexpensive but not easy to use. Besides taking the cover off the saw and routing the wire back out [I always replace the cover before the test in the assumption that the cover needs to be on for an accurate read which is an assumption] you have to secure the tach so it can be read while revving the saw. I use a piece of heavy copper wire wrapped aroud the tach and the saw handle. Once all that's accomplished you're all set and ready to go. Could be a different model has better set up for securing but for the very occasional user like me it's great. 

Actually it's fun to watch the scale respond to your carb screw turning and I've much more confidence in the read out than my ears.

[DHansen]

I have this unit and it is very easy to use. 

[DHansen]

JDGuy, I see these have gone up in price.  I see $100.00 and $145.00 U.S. at some suppliers.  Not sure about other options.  But this one has been very solid for me and easy to use.  

[Dave Shepard]

That's the one you want. .5 second refresh rate. Others are much longer, and supposedly not safe for testing chainsaws, as in you've already burned it up before you get a reading.

[JD Guy]

JDGuy, I see these have gone up in price.  I see $100.00 and $145.00 U.S. at some suppliers.  Not sure about other options.  But this one has been very solid for me and easy to use. 

Thank You! Is this one wireless? I believe I would prefer that as I don't think it then has to be mounted to the saw and could be close.

[DHansen]

This one is wireless.  It is inductive and just has to be within a few inches of the power head.  It also comes with a wire clip if you wish to use the wire adapter to the spark plug wire.  Those photos I posted were with the saw running and the unit set on the upper cover.  Me holding the tachometer with one hand and the throttle trigger with the other hand.  I'm sure you could zip tie it to the handle also.

[JD Guy]

Great, Thank You!

[John Mc]

I have the same one that DHanson showed. Had it for years, and it works well. THere are a ton of similar tachs out there, but some have a refresh rate that is way too slow and/or their max RPM is far too low for chainsaw use.

Here is where I got mine:
https://www.amickssuperstore.com/DTI_2_Cycle_Two_Stroke_Hand_Held_Tachometer_p/dti%20tech-tach%20tt-20k%20tach.htm

[Gearbox]

look on Amazon for less than 35 bucks you can get one that you just hold by the spark plug . I have bought 5 to give away keep one for myself .They come with a full set of screw driver tools .

[John Mc]

look on Amazon for less than 35 bucks you can get one that you just hold by the spark plug . I have bought 5 to give away keep one for myself .They come with a full set of screw driver tools .

Have you actually used one of them on a chainsaw? I have a $35 tach on a 4 cycle Briggs engine and it works fine for that use, but that engine won't rev over 3600 RPM. The response time on my cheap tach is slow, and the maximum RPM is FAR below what is needed for use with a chainsaw.

[Gearbox]

John Mc I have used to tune my saws 372xp 394  359 361 Stihl and one of the Stihl auto tune at 13400 at 40 degrees and the same at 75 degrees . I didn't notice any lag I even used it and the tools to tune my leaf blower