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Calibration vs. Technique

I have a drop-weight stringer. For best tension accuracy, the manufacturer recommends keeping the tension arm level to within plus or minus five degrees when tensioning a string.

I created a template that allows me quickly and easily to measure the tension arm angle, but while I was checking my work I noticed that string stretch caused the tension arm to drop more than ten degrees after tensioning had started. In other words, waiting time for the tension bar to come to a stop was more of a tensioning factor than the plus or minus five degrees of the tension arm.

I connected a tension gauge to determine the effect of the tension arm being slightly above or below the five degree position and didn’t see any appreciable difference in tension from horizontal.

Because of this exercise I have become more aware of the need to let the tension arm settle before clamping off each pull.

Alpha 5-string pack to:

Brian O’Reilly, Greenwood, SC

From the March 2004 issue
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