Mark, Excellent work and excellent thread.
One comment on the chart that you posted; the applicable blade width and thickness (back to root of tooth) are not specified. The tension load is quantified in PSI so the cross sectional area of the blade is a primary factor. The chart you posted can only apply to one blade size (one specific cross sectional area). The image posted by Micke S, in #13 above, illustrates a method to calculate the indicator reading for any blade cross sectional area to achieve the desired blade stress (tension).
I, for one, am going to save this thread for future reference. Again, thank you for bringing it all together.
I only use one blade anymore. it is .500" wide and.025" thick. It is a 6/8 tooth combo. My chart is figured with this blade. If you download the calculator all the work is done. You put in the blade parameters, the tension in PSI, and the lever arm ratio, and the gauge distance, push the calculate button and it gives the indicator deflection.
Mark