<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <title></title> </head> <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"> Hmm.. yes... all this reminds me of a discussion a couple years back between Ron and John Hartman.  And I think I see at least Rons point here.  I'm going to have to dig up that thread and see if I can figure out why John does what he does then.... which seemed clearly different.  Obviously, already voiced on this thread... there are some very different approaches and perspectives applied. ricb <blockquote> > I am unclear on this. If the string tension and the deflection angle are > the same, why the length of the end I am pulling on matter? <blockquote>It doesn't as far as downbearing force matters. It seems you're quite clear on it, which is why I describe bearing in degrees instead of bridge height offset or some undefined linear measurement. </blockquote> >Why would > that change the amount of downbearing force? <blockquote>It wouldn't. Ron N </blockquote> </blockquote> <div class="moz-signature"> </div> </body> </html>