Tachometer for verifying headstock rpm?

[steverboss]

I want to double check my headstock rpm’s. Has anyone had decent success using an inexpensive laser or other type tachometer to check the headstock rpm’s? Which ones have worked well for that purpose?

[DLB]

I've used the Neiko 20715A from Amazon with success. (https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-20713A-Dig ... 180&sr=8-3) There are a lot of similar contact-free digital tachs out there. I tested mine against the PowerPro built-in tach and found it to be accurate and repeatable before using it on a conventional headstock.

If I was doing it over, one feature I'd look for is an ON switch that does not need to be held. Mine is a momentary switch. As an example, I'd like to know how well my router holds set RPM from no load to full load conditions. With a tach that would remain on, I could do that test by myself. (Such a feature may or may not exist in this price range.)

- David

[edma194]

I used an acoustic tachometer app on my phone to check RPMs on a few tools including a PowerPro. There are probably better ones now tham I had. It had no simple display that says xxRPMs, you have to look for something around the right frequency on the chart of all the sounds it picks. It wasn't highly precise but followed on spindle speed changes. Not great, but it was free. Your phone app store should have several available.