Chainsaw Repair

Get a .5 refresh rate tach. The 1.5 sec refresh rate from Baileys and EDT 7-8 are to slow for the money. There is a cheapie tach that is 2.5 sc refresh rate and cost $20-$25, it works, accurate but is slow.

Older no longer available tachs like the Stihl EDT-5, DET-302, DET-303, Echo-1000 or 1100 (same as EDT-5).  If you find one grab it.

Still available TT-20 and Tiny Tach are all .5 refresh rate and cost $85

If I couldnt find a Oppama  made EDT-5 like I have, I would buy one of these new. Amick's link below.

Any of those oppama listed


Oppama seem to make the best tachs 

I have the DTI TECH-TACH TT-20K, bought from Amick's (same link as Kevin provided in the first post on this topic). In fact, it may have been Kevin that suggested it in a link posted on another site.

It works well. I'm glad I got something with the quick refresh rate (0.5 sec). The recall of max RPM is also a useful feature.

One thing to look for for someone new to this: there are a lot of cheaper tachs out there that can't measure the high RPMs of a chainsaw. They may work fine on a lawnmower or generator (typically 3600 RPM max), but won't give a good reading for a chainsaw (max RPMs typically in the 12,000 - 15,000 RPM range, or higher if it's a "hot" saw).

I'm still trying to learn to tune by ear. I've been told this is a more reliable way to get a good, safe mixture setting than relying on a tach alone. I'm still no good at it. The Madsen's links on tuning help, with their audio files, but I really need to hear it live a few times from someone who can point out what's going on. For now, I try by ear, then verify with the tach.

A question for you tuning gurus: how does tuning a saw change if you have an RPM-limited ignition coil, when tuning by ear or by tach?

John Mc

  Right now I have the sendec from bailey's and really don't care for it. 

That one has a 1.5 second refresh rate. To slow. For same money get a .5 second refresh rate. JMO

I have a TT-20K, EDT5, PET1000, Echo 1000 and a couple more don't remember what they are.  I use the EDT5 most of the time as its the closest one in the box.  The TT-20K is the best value.  I use it to check the EDT when I'm not sure the EDT is working right.  EDT goes stupid occasionally don't know why.  If I were in the market for a new tach it would be the TT-20K.  Real happy with mine.  I've found when checking limited coils they go crazy when you get right at or over the limit of the coil.  I start rich on the H screw and slowly lean until I reach max rpms or tach goes crazy.
Shep

See they are selling the    OPPAMA PET-1100 Tachometer  maker of the older stihl EDT-5