Calibration

[!<-_->!]

I'm attempting to calibrate an Ektelon Model H. I am using a Gamma Tension calibrator. I'm having some trouble however. Depending on where I have the glide bar, I get a different reading from the tension calibrator. I am getting either 1lb over or 6lb over depending on location.

 

[dancraig]

I'm attempting to calibrate an Ektelon Model H. I am using a Gamma Tension calibrator. I'm having some trouble however. Depending on where I have the glide bar, I get a different reading from the tension calibrator. I am getting either 1lb over or 6lb over depending on location.

Without being able to see it, a couple of things come to mind.
It seems like it is pulling a little too much. The difference could be from one pull being at a straighter angle than the other. Or, one pull could be using a longer length of string, allowing for more 'creep' to come into the equation. If this is the case, some kevlar or stiff poly in the calibrator will solve it.

 

[SChamp]

Without being able to see it, a couple of things come to mind.
It seems like it is pulling a little too much. The difference could be from one pull being at a straighter angle than the other. Or, one pull could be using a longer length of string, allowing for more 'creep' to come into the equation. If this is the case, some kevlar or stiff poly in the calibrator will solve it.

Maybe I don't know what you mean by "creep", but wouldn't that make the tension show up as less rather than more?

 

[dancraig]

Maybe I don't know what you mean by "creep", but wouldn't that make the tension show up as less rather than more?

Right. One pull could give a lower reading if the length of string, from calibrator to gripper or clamp to calibrator, is longer. If this is the case, the pull with the reading of one pound over.

 

[!<-_->!]

The calibrator had Prince nylon already attached to it. I got 1lb or 6lbs off. I put on some Gosen Polylon and I still got the samething. I've strung off of it already and I'm thinking it probably isn't 6lbs off because that would be quite noticeable when hitting.

 

[dancraig]

The calibrator had Prince nylon already attached to it. I got 1lb or 6lbs off. I put on some Gosen Polylon and I still got the samething. I've strung off of it already and I'm thinking it probably isn't 6lbs off because that would be quite noticeable when hitting.

You can get a few pounds difference depending on how aggressive you are while cranking the handle.

 

[!<-_->!]

I see. Thanks for the help dancraig. Do you think using a digital scale would be any more accurate?

 

[dancraig]

I see. Thanks for the help dancraig. Do you think using a digital scale would be any more accurate?

It would be more accurate, but you could still get the variations caused by the other issues.

 

[!<-_->!]

I see.. Hmm... So based on this little information.. what would you advise? I'm still stringing on it.. but I can't be certain how accurate it is and it becomes troublesome when stringing for others.

 

[dancraig]

When you set it up and get a reading of one pound over, that's nothing. It could easily be the calibrator that is off. If you can pull tension three of four times and get that same reading, I'd be tempted to leave well enough alone. If you feel it is really pulling six pounds over, recalibrate it.

 

[dancraig]

It really sounds like it's pulling a little over. I can imagine a few situations that might cause a decreased calibrator reading, but it's hard to come up with a reason why it would pull with an increased reading.

 

[!<-_->!]

Hmm... I see. Well... I've been going off the basis that it over pulls by 1lb because the finished product definitely doesn't feel 6lbs over. I'm hoping that's accurate because I've been going off that.

 

[dancraig]

Hmm... I see. Well... I've been going off the basis that it over pulls by 1lb because the finished product definitely doesn't feel 6lbs over. I'm hoping that's accurate because I've been going off that.

Some people like their crank stringer to pull a few pounds over, to more closely replicate the results of a constant pull machine.

 

[!<-_->!]

Oh. That's interesting. But since I'm getting either 1lb over or 6lbs over, how can I be certain of what tension I'm stringing at?