Compression testing some Chainsaw engines with a high quality Mityvac kit and a generic Chinese kit

Does a generic low cost Chinese compression testing kit compare in either quality or accuracy to a recognised market leader?

[@mikefisc9989]

Was considering purchasing a MityVac but wanted to see a few reviews prior to. Glad I found your video, it helped with making my decision with confidence.

[@aceallenk]

I just ordered a Mityvac MV5530 from Amazon, after watching this and other positive reviews on Utube. The Amazon reviews /comments were equally very positive about this tester. Personally when buying tools the most expensive are not always the best deal, and this tester is proof of that. It's still budget friendly at $140 CAD taxes included, but rates right up there with the best where accuracy is needed.

[@welshwizard822]

Very intresting rob, I was sure my cheap generic gauge was reading low but nothing to test it against. Now I'm sure it is :-)

[@stridebaad1219]

Good morning Alan 🙂 The one apparent fact I have learnt about Chinese tools: they never work as described ! They are neither accurate or of any quality. It is quite damning that as a nation we buy so much equipment purely based on price with no regard whether it even functions correctly. Best regards Rob

[@fearghalmorrissey2601]

Nice honest review 👍

[@stridebaad1219]

Hi Fearghal. Thank you for the message. There is so much chinese garbage for sale. I wonder how many people believe that it actually gives accurate readings ? Kind regards Rob

[@fearghalmorrissey2601]

@@stridebaad1219 how many people dumped saws over them...there is some good quality tools/parts from china...but at least with reviews like this you know you cant go wrong with Mityvac 👍

[@stuartramage5933]

Awesome job rob .i certainly know which 1 i will buy. Peace and love from Scotland stu and family

[@agkleppel6235]

hey ROB, i am using a vintage HAVA comp-tester MADE in GERMANY, bought it once second hand, still working good

[@stridebaad1219]

Guten Morgen AG :-) Es ist sehr schön, von Ihnen zu hören Ich kenne die Marke nicht : HAVA Are they good quality ? How old ? meine besten Grüße Rob 🙂

[@johntobin4037]

Hi rob agree on the 056 great saw such a shame the ignition hasn’t stood the test of time Although for me the 056 always felt 10 years out of date when up against the 281/288 competitor from Husqvarna

[@stridebaad1219]

Good morning John 🙂 Indeed and so frustrating that it is not easily repaired when it fails without huge expense. As you say, the Husqvarna really were ahead in many areas. It is strange that in recent weeks I have favoured using my Husqvarna saws & much preferred them over my Stihl equivalents. Best regards Rob

[@TwiggyXxnIngaxX]

For testing compression the throttle has to be hold wide open and you would have to pull it atleast 8 times to get a accurate reading

[@stridebaad1219]

Good evening Griffin.. Thank you for the message. I know it is often mentioned about the throttle be fully open, but in practice my 028, 056 & 076 all read identical PSI readings whether i PULL 10 TIMES ! OR after 4 to 5 pulls whether the throttle is opened or closed. It is an interesting subject that many thoeretical references state the way to test. Personally and as always I prefer the emperical method. It is hard to dispute actual physical results. I have 200+ saws at present and even when discussing horsepower figures, the amount of incorrect information published & quoted for various engines is ridiculous. Sometimes the only way to know is to test it. I have a vintage Solo Rex 125cc 1960's saw in mint condition. It show 175 psi after 4 pulls...but does not read any higher no matter how many times i pull after that ! Kind regards Rob 😀

[@johntobin4037]

100% agree with rob the throttle open or closed makes no difference to the final reading. Have also tested this with WOT or fully closed with no difference in final pressure reading

[@TwiggyXxnIngaxX]

@@stridebaad1219 Yes your right the only way to know is test it your self and use your own information and with 200 plus saws as you said you should have a good idea of what info is right and wrong Lol. You got alot of nice saws and good videos.

[@dazlee3257]

Yup just the same as mine haha. One thing I have that does seem to work good enough for me is the generic digital vernier caliper. Thought it had packed in last week but changed battery and OK again, I'm not going to say it's 100% accurate because I've not compared it with a "real" one but good enough for measuring bolts, chain pitch etc.

[@wcjcnc]

I have a stihl blower that has 10mm spark plug threads. If you put a thread adapter on the end of the compression tester it will show 90 PSI. If I use a cylinder adapter that has the schrader valve in the tip of the threads that screw into the spark plug hole I get 150 PSI. The volume inside the thread adapter throws the reading off by 50 PSI. Do you have any chainsaws with 10mm spark plug threads so you could recreate the same test and see what you get?

[@pyrotechnickerflo]

Solo Rex 60142 Compression testing!

[@stridebaad1219]

Good afternoon P.T. greetings From Wales 😀 If I get time later I will test the Solo 69135, 69142 & the 125cc Rex 🤪 Kind regards Rob

[@pyrotechnickerflo]

Well, I'm looking forward to the test.

[@rakersdownnz]

Nice one 👍, so better to spend more money once than have to buy that Chinese kit, and then the proper one. Surprised you didn't just send it straight to the bin.