String Gauge Calculator

I have generally used the Strothers Gauge Calculator and sometimes just re-sized strings to suit the instrument and my preferences. It seems that many agree that the Strothers calculator gives a very light action, even too light for many.

I think it is important to give consistent advice to customers so I wanted to have a standard and an option for them to go lighter or heavier in a sensible measured way.

So I looked into it and decided to make my own version of the calculator. I started by looking their site over and their version is pretty straight forward. I duplicated the functionality of their site, but added a user editable field for string tension.

They assume 13.8 pounds of tension and it looks to me as if what a lot of folks use is more like 20 pounds of tension.

I have a few questions.

1. What tension setting in my calculator gives what you consider a medium action?
2. Do you see any problems with my version of the calculator that need fixing?
3. Do you have suggestions for improving it?
4. What do you think of a combined tool that does both what the Strothers tool and what the StewMac fret tool do in one combined format?

Check out the prototype at:

http://featherdulcimer.com/StringCalc.html