OK! I tried truing my wheels for the first time today!

I took off the tire so it was rim only. I noticed my spokes had quite a bit of play so tightened them all up a good bit. Not too much, but enough so they are all firm and only give a little bend when squeezed. I plucked them and they sound pretty even. I really wish I had a tensiometer, but oh well. A spoke is only a $1 to replace if I made them too loose/tight.

Anyway I made a very nice lateral true. It spins perfectly straight. Unfortunately it's sill very out of round, and don't know what I will do without some kind of guide (I have the bike flipped over and used the brake pads). I'm thinking of using cable ties and trying that method. I have to admit even though lateral true is great, the wheel still looks wobbly as hell.

So tomorrow I need to do round true, and the rear wheel. Then I'll need to stress relieve them, and possibly do a few more adjustments. I just hope the rim isn't bent or something. Would it be noticeable to my eye if it was? I carefully inspected it and it looks find, I just can't imaging how being out of round would leave it that wobbly still!

thanks!