In a message dated 10/16/02 9:47:57 PM Pacific Daylight Time, CYCLESTORE@aol.com writes:
<< An alignment table is as necessary to a skilled mechanic as a truing jig
is
to a wheel builder. To someone with skills neither gauge (tool) is needed
or
necessary. They both speed up the job however; usually. The old guy always
said; that's for amateurs. >>
Necessary is a loaded question. With a table, you can measure how many
thousandths of an inch it's out in what direction, and you can then get it as
close to perfect as is possible. I'm not a fan of the string method, it's
close but I can't quantify how close. Close enough doesn't come in
thousandths. My wheel stand has two dial indicators on it. I got tired of
holding a little white piece of paper under the gap to see where the rim was
out. With the gauges, I can concentrate on tension.
Oscar Juner used to say "the difference between a good and bad mechanic is
his aim" (with a hammer). A plumber I knew, used to jokingly say "anyone can
do it with the tools..." Tools won't make up for lack of skill. It's not
just easier, it's more accurate with the tools, if you know how to use them.
Just my opinion.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA