Originally Posted by banzai_f16
A couple of the spokes are still fairly "loose" to the spoke wrench (though not too slack to a "grab" test) while a few others are rather tight. They're not located across from each other (that would be too obvious).
How much "differential", if you will, in end state "trued" spoke tension is typical.
First, let me congratulate you on your first wheelbuild. That's quite the undertaking and quite the accomplishment.
Regarding loose spokes, the ideal protocol is this:
1. With a tensionmeter (I know, I know, you said you don't intend to get one) you measure and write down the tension of each spoke.
2. Add all the tensions, then divide by the number of spokes. (For a front wheel, include all spokes. For a rear wheel repeat the process twice, once for the drive-side spokes, then once for the non-drive-side spokes.)
3. The result will be the "average tension".
4. No individual spoke should have a tension that is more than or less than 20% of the average tension. (Personally, I'm not satisfied until my spokes are all within 10%).
There are tons of threads on these boards about why it is important to have equal or near-equal tension on spokes. Suffice it to say that the closer you can get to equal tension, while still having a wheel that is true, the stronger and more durable your wheel will be. And the likelier it will rarely if ever require re-truing.
Bob