Originally Posted by
FBinNY
Good point but wrong pronoun. I don't use a tension meter when truing, and use one ONLY as a final QC, to sample tensions when building new wheels.
While I don't use a ruler, my build up process is highly focused on length. I start by turning all nipples to a set depth using an ejector screwdriver, and make a conscious effort to maintain uniform length. Final truing corrects for errors and rim deformities, with spoke lengths typically staying with 0.5mm (one turn). Tension stays even because there's no reason it wouldn't.
But the tension does change as you make the effective length of the spoke shorter while the tension doesn't change when you do the same to a derailleur cable. So referring to it as spoke 'tension' isn't wrong at all.