Author Topic: How many use a fluke (Read 39657 times)

Scott DeRoss · « **on:** February 18, 2015, 07:09:43 PM »

How many of you use a fluke meter with rpm (like model 78 or 88) to adjust you rpm on the bike when tuning or on other machines. They are pretty expensive and looking into possibly buying one. It also would come in handy for other things too. Thoughts, suggestions, pros, cons etc...

jetmechmarty · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2015, 07:20:49 PM »

Fluke is the good stuff used by professionals. You'll pay for it. How much are you going to use it? A cheaper option would make more sense if the tool is to sit in a drawer most of the time.

56Pan · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2015, 07:40:27 PM »

Quote from: jetmechmarty on February 18, 2015, 07:20:49 PM

Fluke is the good stuff used by professionals. You'll pay for it. How much are you going to use it? A cheaper option would make more sense if the tool is to sit in a drawer most of the time.

Marty, is that you? It would take an airline mech. to recognize just how good the Fluke meters are.

Garrett, and recently retired.

biking sailor · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2015, 07:41:55 PM »

I use a Fluke at work, cheaper brands at home. Company bought the Fluke.

Greenman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2015, 07:56:04 PM »

Escort are good, as are Agilent.

Scott DeRoss · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2015, 07:56:12 PM »

I have a older fluke now I have used for years. I am thinking of the rpm addition to measure my rpm on the bike when tuning, seems to be a good and convenient for that application, and for smaller engines especially for single cylinder.

Guzzidad · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2015, 08:03:11 PM »

I have a couple of Fluke 73 III meters, one at home and one at work. They're getting a little old and one of them started acting a little weird. I sent it to Fluke and they replaced the selector switch, calibrated it, and included a new set of leads, all service and leads free. You get what you pay for.

jetmechmarty · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2015, 08:08:42 PM »

Quote from: 56Pan on February 18, 2015, 07:40:27 PM

Marty, is that you? It would take an airline mech. to recognize just how good the Fluke meters are.

Garrett, and recently retired.

It's a small world, isn't it?

Triple Jim · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2015, 08:15:44 PM »

Fluke 77 and 87 here, since 1985 or so. They're bullet proof, and every time I've taken them to a free Fluke calibration clinic, they're within the original specs.

56Pan · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2015, 08:17:14 PM »

Quote from: jetmechmarty on February 18, 2015, 08:08:42 PM

It's a small world, isn't it?

Yes, it is. Hope all is well with you.

rodekyll · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2015, 09:08:45 PM »

Fluke is good stuff. I have several different instruments of theirs. I have gotten some good stuff for next to nothing at pawn shops.

dilligaf · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2015, 09:23:56 PM »

I have a 77 that I need to return to Fluke. Company purchased it for me 30 years ago. :BEER:
Matt

Asylum · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2015, 09:44:02 PM »

I use a fluke everyday at work for the past 15 years. I wouldn't buy any other brand, I find them extremely reliable. As far as tools goes, I usually buy the good ones that last a lifetime instead of having to settle for cheaper that needs replacing. So in the long run, it comes to pretty much the same price.

Triple Jim · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2015, 09:54:16 PM »

Quote from: rodekyll on February 18, 2015, 09:08:45 PM

I have gotten some good stuff for next to nothing at pawn shops.

Funny you mentioned pawn shops... my Fluke 87 came from a pawn shop. I think it was about $40 or so, and was in factory spec.

Yukonica · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2015, 10:33:46 PM »

I want one ... and I have absolutely no idea what you are all talking about. From the thread: It's old tech. It's good quality. It's owned by guys who have looked deeper in an engine than a spark-plug replacement... and... if I knew what I was looking for I could find a specimen within spec in a pawnshop for less than I pay for drive-through coffee in a week.
To me; a fluke is either a whale fin or a GP placement ahead of anyone named Marcus. Pics and description appreciated. :)

RinkRat II · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2015, 10:44:08 PM »

;-T ;-T ;-T

Quote from: Triple Jim on February 18, 2015, 08:15:44 PM

Fluke 77 and 87 here, since 1985 or so. They're bullet proof, and every time I've taken them to a free Fluke calibration clinic, they're within the original specs.

I've had mine since '82 and ALL the attachments..[thermistor, strobe,I/R sensor ] etc etc . Best money ever spent,still use it almost daily. You wont regret it.

Paul B :BEER:

Shadyapex · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2015, 11:15:43 PM »

I used a Fluke when I was doing automotive computer diagnosis in the 80s and 90s. But then somebody dropped a 2x4 on it. Now I use a cheap imitation, wish I still had the Fluke!

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2015, 11:55:30 PM »

Fluke 87 here, use it all the time, i do have a few cheapo meters also, they are good enough for work around the bike.
The Flukes have high rupture capacity fuses costing $30 or more, you don't need that on a bike.

Ronkom · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2015, 12:03:49 AM »

I have 2 oldies, a 77 and a 73III. Both have been stone reliable since day 1.
ronkom

Two Checks · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2015, 04:51:50 AM »

Quote from: Kiwi_Roy on February 18, 2015, 11:55:30 PM

Fluke 87 here, use it all the time, i do have a few cheapo meters also, they are good enough for work around the bike.
The Flukes have high rupture capacity fuses costing $30 or more, you don't need that on a bike.

Where are you buying your fuses? Last I bought fuses for our "fleet" of Flukes at work they were under $10.

Tobit · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2015, 05:54:09 AM »

Fluke 77 at home, cheapy multimeter at work, unless I need accuracy, then I bring my Fluke in.

Love a Simpson 260 though!

Tobit

oldmxdog61u · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:09:22 AM »

I have my dads Simpson 260, my microbes, and several flukes. Sheesh, now I feel old.

oldmxdog61u · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:15:51 AM »

Micronta... dang spell checker.
Still have the original receipt and box. Wanted a simpson, couldn't afford it washing dishes. Got my first fluke 1978 at Intel.

Tobit · « **Reply #23 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:30:46 AM »

And I was scratching my head wondering if microbes were some sort of small probe accessory for a Simpson that I missed.

:D

oldmxdog61u · « **Reply #24 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:36:59 AM »

First computer? A 6800 kit. Follows by a PAL. Then a PET. Then a trash 80. Spent my time punching and loading cards on an IBM, the later wrote and taped out my first "asteroids" game. About this time got busted for running a prime number generator program that ate up the budget of the math department share time for the year. Is it any wonder I love my guzzis?

PeteS · « **Reply #25 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:41:07 AM »

Two Flukes at home, two portables plus a bench model at work and a few dozen HP bench models in the student labs. How are you using it to calibrate a tach? i have used a precision pulse generator or freqeuncy counter.

Pete

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2015, 07:05:31 AM »

Many Flukes and other digital meters have one disadvantage...They will "average" some readings.. Example,I was using a Fluke meter to test coil primary voltage on a vehicle with points ignition and a ballast resistor. The actual voltage at the coil with engine running is about 8 volts ( because of ballast resistor) when the points are closed and 14.5 with the points open. The Fluke can't react fast like an analog meter so it averages the reading and showed about 12 volts. I was confused until I shut off the engine and checked out the voltage by cranking over the engine by hand. Not that you are using the meter for this but maybe a similar situation...

charlie b · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2015, 07:24:03 AM »

There are so many different Fluke's that I would be hard pressed to recommend any one model without knowing what it is to be used for. You can get anything from the really simple multi-meter types to full fledged "oscilloscopes in your hand" type. I've used many different ones, but, unless my job requires absolute accuracy (like at my work place) then I will use a cheap version.

Other brand name jobs are probably just as good.

For 90% of what I do the $5 multimeter from Harbor Freight does just fine. I always have 3 or 4 of them around so they are there when I need them. I don't care if they get run over, stepped on, left out in the rain, stolen, loaned, etc.

So, the big question is, what do you need it for and how precise do you need the measurement to be?

Scott DeRoss · « **Reply #28 on:** February 19, 2015, 07:39:49 AM »

So, the big question is, what do you need it for and how precise do you need the measurement to be?

[/quote]

See my earlier post.

For the rpm feature especially for small single cylinders.

dilligaf · « **Reply #29 on:** February 19, 2015, 07:46:35 AM »

I think with some of the FI systems a good VOM would be handy. The older bikes a simple test light will handle most of your electrical trouble shooting needs. :BEER:
Matt

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Author Topic: How many use a fluke (Read 39657 times)

56Pan

biking sailor

56Pan

dilligaf

Asylum

Shadyapex

Rough Edge racing

dilligaf