Tensiometer
01-26-12, 12:06 PM
#77
Senior Member
I just finished a Wheel building class with Bill Stevenson in Olympia WA he has built thousands of wheels
I take away from this class that the tensionometer is less used that I would have thought. They seem ATMO a bit difficult to use and it was not on the list of tools for wheel building tools to get as soon as possible...
IN the class Bill said that there is a point that it just gets difficult to tension the spokes any further and that if by squeezing the spokes they seem about equal and when plinked(listening for tone) the drive side are all about the same pitch and the non drive side are all about the same pitch that is a good stopping point. we were building a rear wheel...
So is a tensionometer really even necessary?
I take away from this class that the tensionometer is less used that I would have thought. They seem ATMO a bit difficult to use and it was not on the list of tools for wheel building tools to get as soon as possible...
IN the class Bill said that there is a point that it just gets difficult to tension the spokes any further and that if by squeezing the spokes they seem about equal and when plinked(listening for tone) the drive side are all about the same pitch and the non drive side are all about the same pitch that is a good stopping point. we were building a rear wheel...
So is a tensionometer really even necessary?
Last edited by kc0yef; 01-26-12 at 12:07 PM. Reason: grahm crackers
01-26-12, 02:48 PM
#78
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01-26-12, 02:56 PM
#79
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The only real need for tension meters is as a quality control tool in a high volume setting, where lots of different people or machines are working and you need to check that they're staying within the established standards. For all others, if you can't build a decent wheel without a tension meter, you probably still can't with.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
01-27-12, 02:22 AM
#81
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Let's try a little word exercise today, folks.
First up, let's re-arrange some letters:
Wheel Fanatyk Tensiometer
Wheel Fantayk Tensiometer
Wheel Fantaky Tensiometer
Now, a fun part of english language, letters that have the same sound, but are not the same.
Wheel Fantacy Tensiometer (K can sound like a C)
Wheel Fantasy Tensiometer (C can sound like a S)
Fantasy: 2. Something, such as an invention, that is a creation of the fancy
Fancy: 3. a : to believe mistakenly or without evidence
b : to believe without being certain <she fancied she had met him before>
/end of thread.
First up, let's re-arrange some letters:
Wheel Fanatyk Tensiometer
Wheel Fantayk Tensiometer
Wheel Fantaky Tensiometer
Now, a fun part of english language, letters that have the same sound, but are not the same.
Wheel Fantacy Tensiometer (K can sound like a C)
Wheel Fantasy Tensiometer (C can sound like a S)
Fantasy: 2. Something, such as an invention, that is a creation of the fancy
Fancy: 3. a : to believe mistakenly or without evidence
b : to believe without being certain <she fancied she had met him before>
/end of thread.
Last edited by MilitantPotato; 01-27-12 at 11:20 AM.
01-27-12, 07:55 AM
#82
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The Wheel Fanatyk tool is still the best one out there, and it's reasonably priced for something to use for quality control in a medium to high volume wheel building business.
em
01-27-12, 08:01 AM
#83
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Whenever someone tells me they've been building by "feel" for 40 years, I remember how unreliable those 36 spoke wheels were back in the day. Modern wheels are way more reliable than the old wheels were, and that's all about quality control. QC requires accurate measurement.
em, P.E.
01-27-12, 08:06 AM
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As long as we are talking about high end wheelbuilding stuff, who wants one of these? https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DyHmW1mDm2...1600/stand.jpg
em
em
01-27-12, 08:58 AM
#85
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Oh, and I forgot to mention another problem with these high end tensionmeters that use an LCD readout...
...the LCD circuitry is usually one of the first things that gets fried when a battery leaks corroding its contacts and the attached leads/circuity.
=8-)
...the LCD circuitry is usually one of the first things that gets fried when a battery leaks corroding its contacts and the attached leads/circuity.
=8-)
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5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
01-27-12, 09:02 PM
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I'm not sure which has more opinions or theories, wheel building or politics. But, if you are a techno tool nut, that's the one to buy. Jobst Brandt wrote a series several years ago on his tension theory and the development of this tension meter. He makes some very good points on why this style is superior to other tensiometers on the market. I wish I had saved the link to those articles.
Deferring to mrrabbit, Theremthose of us who are not experienced wheelbuilders need all the help we can get.
Deferring to mrrabbit, Theremthose of us who are not experienced wheelbuilders need all the help we can get.
01-30-12, 11:56 AM
#89
Senior Member
me I do send it to me will ya lol
So it's on the list of fun tools to have but I see myself mainly on 32 and 36,
Thanks a lot
The reason you need it for low count wheels is not because of the customer. It's because the margin for error on the wheels is so small, and with the rigid rims those wheel need, you can build a straight wheel with a lot of tension imbalance.
Whenever someone tells me they've been building by "feel" for 40 years, I remember how unreliable those 36 spoke wheels were back in the day. Modern wheels are way more reliable than the old wheels were, and that's all about quality control. QC requires accurate measurement.
em, P.E.
Whenever someone tells me they've been building by "feel" for 40 years, I remember how unreliable those 36 spoke wheels were back in the day. Modern wheels are way more reliable than the old wheels were, and that's all about quality control. QC requires accurate measurement.
em, P.E.
+1, they're a tool and like all other tools, are of some benefit to a skilled craftsman when/if used correctly. That doesn't make them necessary, just good to have if the need arises. OTOH, they are not a substiture for skill and knowledge, and won't magically make a craftsman out of someone who isn't. The only real need for tension meters is as a quality control tool in a high volume setting, where lots of different people or machines are working and you need to check that they're staying within the established standards. For all others, if you can't build a decent wheel without a tension meter, you probably still can't with.
Thanks a lot
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