Probably not too accurate for measuring dynamic loads but the little bit of reading I've been doing around these forums, seems like friction is the big unknown in so many discussions. With some thought out experiments, I'd guess even with a simple scale like this, some usable ballpark numbers for frictional losses could be derived.
I tried some calculations a while back using band brake equations to estimate rope friction but the numbers coming out didn't look right. One of those junk in, junk out, situations I think.
