Wobbly Newman Tension Meter - Video Added

[sqslabs]

Long story short, a now previous employee decided to pawn my tension meter (among other things) but fortunately I picked up a backup meter in a frame transaction a while back.  Only thing about this one is that it wobbles a bit on a flat surface and in doing so, the needle moves.  I can take a video tomorrow on the calibration glass to show the issue, but I figured I'd ask here before sending it in to Newman in case its an easy fix or if the wobble won't matter once its on mesh.  It doesn't seem to have the movement when on mesh due to the flexibility, but my concern would be an incorrect reading.  For reference, it's a 1E.

Thank youuu.

[sqslabs]

Took a video this morning:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0zGICtdEXI

I had kinda remembered it wrong in that its not exactly wobbly, but more that it isn't reaching the maximum extension of the needle when on the glass, so I can get a bit more out of it if I push down a bit more.   I guess its pretty obvious at this point that I should send it in for calibration, but I have a pile of new screens here to stretch and am interested if there is a solution before I do.  On the other hand, I don't want to be 5n off when stretching and pop 40 screens in the next couple weeks, so if I have to bite the bullet and send it in I can go that route as well.

I had actually been planning on calibrating it with my other meter, and am now regretting not doing it when I could have.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[jsheridan]

As you press on it, yes it will give a little as you do in the video. This is OK and it the dial is on zero so you look good.

What we tell people, as long as the meter has not been dropped, the calibration will stay in range.

If you buy a new-to-you meter, have the seller acquire a calibration receipt or send it in yourself.

[sqslabs]

As you press on it, yes it will give a little as you do in the video. This is OK and it the dial is on zero so you look good.

What we tell people, as long as the meter has not been dropped, the calibration will stay in range.

If you buy a new-to-you meter, have the seller acquire a calibration receipt or send it in yourself.

Thanks for the info John, it is much appreciated.  Just to clarify, if a meter had been dropped in the past, would it be completely out of wack when placed on the calibration glass?  Or could it still show as being in the acceptable range and be completely out of calibration in use?  Just asking because I have no idea what this meter had been through before it got to me..

[jvanick]

the 'feet' (round bars on the edges) can be adjusted to become parallel/make the meter sit flat with a tiny allen wrench.

BUT - you may screw up the calibration of the meter trying to adjust them.

[jsheridan]

Thanks for the info John, it is much appreciated.  Just to clarify, if a meter had been dropped in the past, would it be completely out of wack when placed on the calibration glass?  Or could it still show as being in the acceptable range and be completely out of calibration in use?  Just asking because I have no idea what this meter had been through before it got to me..
[/quote]

Hard to say. I've only seen 3 dropped meters in my time and 1 of them was doa with no movement.. the others set to zero fine but the readings were way off.

[sqslabs]

the 'feet' (round bars on the edges) can be adjusted to become parallel/make the meter sit flat with a tiny allen wrench.

BUT - you may screw up the calibration of the meter trying to adjust them.

Found the holes for the allen key, scared to make the adjustment.   

Hard to say. I've only seen 3 dropped meters in my time and 1 of them was doa with no movement.. the others set to zero fine but the readings were way off.

Gotcha.  I'll just send it for peace of mind..  Thanks again.

[Doug S]

After having my meter fall to the stretching table surface when I went a little too far with the tension resulting in me having to send it in for recalibration, I always place a double-folded sweatshirt under the mesh so if I should pop the mesh it will have a nice cushion to land on.