i can't afford a tentelometer...so i am wondering where I could find a quality spring scale for setting the tape tension on a 1/4" and 1/2" machine? I have no idea where to look for an accurate sping scale, any input is much appreciated.

Unfortunately, one is not a substitute for the other. If your manual calls for only a spring scale in their tension adjustment procedure, you are lucky. Do what they say. Most of the time, at least with studers, you need both.
See if there is a tech in your community who has a tentelometer for rent, or maybe Tentel will rent you one.

lucky me, the a80rc 1/"4 just needs a couple spring scales.

thanks for the input greg. much appreciated.

are you going to come to montreal again to do another workshop? the last one was aces...

I am coming up there actually. I will be there in the beginning of August for some fancy tech work. No workshop planned.

I've seen some used tentelometers go for really cheap.

For example this for some sort of video recorder is 745$ new but went to 41$ on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.it/__Video-Professionale_Tentelometer-T2-H7-SLCX-Tape-Tension-Gauge-Tentel-D2_W0QQitemZ150258989265QQptdnZVideoQ20ProfessionaleQQptdiZ7162QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150258989265&_trkparms=72%3A758%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14