I agree with your thoughts, strain gauges are far to expensive for non business users, the built in tension gauge is only a guide I was just wondering What the numbers on the scale refereed to as Axminster have failed to include this bit of information in the manual.
A pretty accurate way is mount the blade and track it and with the side support guides well clear of the blade switch on and if the bade flutters tension it until the blade has no flutter, job done.
