19200 Tachometer,Black

Was teaching small engine labs at 2 year branch of a major university in the '70's. No much digital stuff then. But these worked great then an still do. Was a key part of teaching that the Briggs and Stratton folks did at their factory schools of that era. Digital/photo type tachs will be more accurate---but so what. With the current stuff today (fixed jet carbs, electronic ignition, ohv) not much you really need to worry about adjusting....just be assured it is in ball park. One of my clients is a remanufacturing center for several major, well known brands of outdoor power equipment. I gave my last one to one of their techs last week===so needed a new one for my bag. True (and to me funny story). Back in my time with OSU, we hosted an annual contest for students in high school training programs for small engines/power equipment. The contest had a pretty heavy duty written test ( I usually wrote it) and 20-30 practical stations where they had to demonstrate certain skills (measuring, adjusting etc). This tach was always one station--start engine, record idle and full throttle rpm. One year a kid had clearly never seen one. Spooled out the wire, started the engine and SCREAMED. In those days, rubber boots on spark plug wires were uncommon, just a metal clip. Poor kid touched the plug wire of the running engine and got lit up like ignition voltage can do. He flung the tach like a Frisbee, hitting my department chairman up the side of his head. So, read the instructions and go measure something that rotates or vibrates, you will be surprised how easy it is to use. Old, school, effective, easy....no damned batteries and will last forever. And you can loan it to your moron neighbor in hopes he thinks like that kid did way back in the '70's

I needed to adjust the vibration rate of my hand-held electric percussion massager. I recently broke a rib, which was determined via x-ray to be a nondisplaced fracture. I wanted to heal it thoroughly ASAP. So I needed to produce vibration in the range of 30-45 hz, as that is the range used by medical studies of bone fracture healing stimulation. My massager has a thumb wheel for setting its oscillation frequency, but there is no numerical scale on it. With this gage I was able to set the massager for 40 hz. The gage is called a sirometer by its manufacturer, Treysit-Presserei, located in Schwalstadt, Germany. It is a purely mechanical device that utilizes a metal wire that cyclically whips to a maximum amplitude when its length is adjusted to resonate at the frequency of the machine that the gage is in contact with. Simply rotate a dial that simultaneously changes the wire's whip length and the pointer on the dual rpm/frequency scales. It is suitable only for machines that have internal parts that spin/reciprocate/pivot/vibrate at the same speed. It is therefore inaccurate for machines containing mechanical speed changing transmissions such as either reduction or step-up drives. Gear drives of any ratio (including 1:1) are also unmeasurable via this gage, due to the "noise" of each tooth/cog.

Have been needing a small engine tach for quite a while but haven’t been impressed with what was available. Then I discovered this little mechanical wonder. I’ve used it on my self-propelled mower that has always seemed to run too slow and had great success. The rpm adjustment was off probably from pushing underneath bushes,etc. and bending the spring tab. Upon using my new mechanical wonder, the engine runs within topend spec., bout 3100rpm, and now cuts like a new one and I don’t outrun it trying to walk behind it. Very pleased with this device and it’s abilities! Bear in mind, however, the accuracy is very dependent upon the person using it. Be patient and practice with it. I believe you’ll be pleased with the results.

To it's credit, this German-made tachometer works wonderfully and is delightful in it's pure simplicity of design. That said, in spite of the simple instructions, it definitely takes some practice to get the hang of using the device properly (i.e. figuring out when the end of the wire is vibrating in harmony with the engine, and thus giving you an accurate reading). Admittedly, it is hard to describe what a proper reading looks like in a manual - the best way to describe is "It will be obvious when it is working right". Once you get the hang of it though, it works like a charm, and for the price you can't beat it. One more suggestion though, it's usage is definitely more manageable with two people, particularly if you are trying to adjust the engine while reading the tachometer.

works so easy

This "Old School" device does what modern technology does badly and more expensively.. It is a simple device which will probably never wear out and never needs batteries. It works on the principle of resonance to vibration and translates vibration into cycles per second or revs per minute for engines. I tried it on single and multiple cylinder engines and it works perfectly. German tech is the best in the mechanical world and they designed this device.

I used to use one a while back, thinking I was tired of the cheapo tachs I've been using for dialing in carbs for small engines. Not accurate with twin cylinders, especially opposed twins. Great for the standard Briggs flathead or Honda OHV....etc. Accuracy is...well, in the eye of the beholder, you'll find that once you find the an RPM range, it will change a little if you check again. So I'd say its about 80% accurate or so. Handy for a quick check, but nothing I'd rely on for accuracy.

This works well, although it may take a while to get used to it. In my limited experience, the digital tachometers don't hold up well.

It's a quirky device no doubt about it and built in Germany but still, its not for everyone. I like different so I had no hesitation buying this gauge and tbh I wanted to see it work in my hands. I needed an RPM gauge/meter of whatever type for a specific and timely sensitive purpose. It worked and was so easy to set and personally I like that I have to do a little bit to get a result. With the device held on the running engine, rotate the dial until the extending springy needle starts oscillating madly. Rotate it back off that point and dial it back into that best point, to make sure you are setting it properly. Remove it from the engine and read off the RPM on the dial. Too easy! This device can be used on any single or multi cylinder engine but be aware that cam and rod vibration can upset its use. No batteries to wear out and because it is so, so simple, I reckon it will outlast me easily. Worth the buy but LCD screen RPM meters are cheaper and some of them are even easier to use than this unit. I can recommend this gauge.

This little device requires no batteries and doesn't need any special set up. Indicate a pretty accurate RPM reading. If a precise measure is needed then much more expensive instrument would be needed.

Great tool to have when working with small engine

easy to use and does what it is suppose to do. just put it on the pull handle case and you are all set

I heard about the sirometer, yet curious on how it even worked at all, and deliver accurate results. Initially I had my mind set on some cumbersome wire induction tach, I didn't like how they install, I didn't like how they expire with a sealed battery, and often weren't even accurate. This FBA Prime item "Ships from and sold by" big man Jeff B himself, so I purchased with confidence. Opening the packaging was a delightful surprise, it looks like a vintage childhood toy from a cereal box. Made in Germany, it appears simple, yet I can tell the workmanship needs to be precise with the spring metal used, and the plastic housing needs to be tough enough to withstand vibrations, things that cheap overseas factories would miss. I often adjust tec and briggs motors by ear and experience, this tool lets me demonstrate and prove to others, impressed. This fun gadget belongs to every small engine mechanic, DIY or shop.