How often to Calibrate???

[brucie]

So I need to get a calibrator at the moment my machine is Eanas DEN 4600 manual crank type machine.

I strung my first racket the othe day its great I usually have 58 duralast in my surges but the arms aching so i dropped tension to 56 well it plays amazing and i did a great job! Thanks to Dancraig and a few others help!

But I was thinking the tension seems way lower than 56 i bet its like 52! I dont know as I havent a calibator so thats on the list of things to get!

HOW often do you all calibrate your machine?

What calibrator do I need lastly that would suit the machine?

Thanks a load!

 

[flash9]

Calibrator

HOW often do you all calibrate your machine?[/U]

What calibrator do I need lastly that would suit the machine?

As to your first question, I think everyone has a different opinion here. What I would suggest is get yourself a tension scale (calibrator) and test it by weighing something you know the exact weight, which weighs about 60 lbs. (I say around 60lbs since that is the midrange of most string jobs.) This is to ensure your calibrator is accurate. I purchased a nice digital scale off e-B-a-y and you can see it on this link:
Digital Scale good for 120lbs

I checked my scale and it is within 0.2 lbs of a US Postal Scale, and that is close enough for me. Any of the spring calibrators can not possibly show a 0.2 lb difference. But, no mater what you need to make sure whatever you are using is accurate.

Next, test the tension head; I like to test at 55, 60, and 65 lbs. Once you have it calibrated, I would check it every other string job for the first dozen or so racquets, if it seems to be staying calibrated go to every half dozen, if it still is staying calibrated then maybe go to every dozen. Some tension heads stay calibrated and it might be years before they need to be adjusted. On the other hand I once strung on a cheaper unit that would not stay calibrated, and needed adjustment every other racquet. Only, testing your own tension head will you know.

Other racquets stinger tension calibrators you might consider:
GAMMA Tension Head Calibrator
This will work great I just like gadgets.

Just remember if the tool you are using to calibrate your tension head is not accurate then your tension will not be accurate!

 

[barry]

So I need to get a calibrator at the moment my machine is Eanas DEN 4600 manual crank type machine.

I strung my first racket the othe day its great I usually have 58 duralast in my surges but the arms aching so i dropped tension to 56 well it plays amazing and i did a great job! Thanks to Dancraig and a few others help!

But I was thinking the tension seems way lower than 56 i bet its like 52! I dont know as I havent a calibator so thats on the list of things to get!

HOW often do you all calibrate your machine?

What calibrator do I need lastly that would suit the machine?

Thanks a load!

I took SW_stringers advice and purchased a digital fish scale. The one I bought was $17 (missed the sale) from Walmart. It is made by Berkley and goes to 50 pounds. Good news is it is water proof! If you buy one, be sure to push the button for 3 seconds to verify the batteries are good before you leave the store, then hold it down 6 seconds and it shuts off.

I would not waste a lot of money buying a spring unit, as the springs tend to wear out. Eagnas has the spring units for $12.95 (http://www.eagnas.com/gif/tcg.gif, but I like the digital one better.

 

[Gamma Tech]

I would not waste a lot of money buying a spring unit, as the springs tend to wear out. Eagnas has the spring units for $12.95 (http://www.eagnas.com/gif/tcg.gif, but I like the digital one better.

I'm not sure about other manufactures but our springs are engineered/designed to never loose tension (spring tensioner, Es machines & calibrators).

GAMMA recommends that you check the calibration of your machine about every 50 rqts. or if you move it or travel with it. if you are accurate at high and low tensions then all tensions in-between will be accurate.

bret

 

[dancraig]

I took SW_stringers advice and purchased a digital fish scale. The one I bought was $17 (missed the sale) from Walmart. It is made by Berkley and goes to 50 pounds. Good news is it is water proof! If you buy one, be sure to push the button for 3 seconds to verify the batteries are good before you leave the store, then hold it down 6 seconds and it shuts off.

I would not waste a lot of money buying a spring unit, as the springs tend to wear out. Eagnas has the spring units for $12.95 (http://www.eagnas.com/gif/tcg.gif, but I like the digital one better.

http://www.eagnas.com/tools.html

A while back, I called Maxline to order a calibrator. I was told that since I wasn't "the member" the price would be 24.95. I bought one from Mutual Power.

 

[Greg Raven]

I'm not sure about other manufactures but our springs are engineered/designed to never loose tension (spring tensioner, Es machines & calibrators).[...]

This is good information. It is actually well known how to treat a spring so that it doesn't lose tension, acquire a "set," or break from going into mild coil bind. However, this is not to say that every company treats its springs properly. It's nice to know that Gamma does.

 

[brucie]

Right so Gamma, Mutual Power,and Eagnas make good models, probably opt for EAGNAS, thats my machine like, Gamma seems expensive but looks decent, i dont know too much choice nowadays, do BowBrand make calibrators as they are my coaches main supplier?