Stylus force digital scales

one word of caution

If you are using a Clearaudio table with one of the magnetic field arms, you must make sure that the scale measuring point is at the exact same height as the record surface otherwise it could be off considerably.

I use the cheaper model electronic scales ( I have two), and the clearaudio teeter totter scale. When using the cheap electronic ones, I just make sure that I verify their accuracy by measuring the weight of both a penny (2.5 grams) and a nickel (5 grams). Batteries are low when they are off on mine.
http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/?action=coin_specifications

Doug, any magnetic attraction with not affect the weight measured. You will see the scale read negative as the cart. nears the scale; but that's because it's being supported by the cueing mechanism. Once the cart. is released all its weight is on the scale and will be measured, magnetic attraction or not. Think about it.

I use the cheaper model electronic scales ( I have two), and the clearaudio teeter totter scale.

Jim, have you compared how well the clearaudio does next to the digital scales?

I used one of these digital jobs for a while until one of the segments in one of the numbers died. Made figuring out the actual tracking force a real guessing game. Not sure I want to spend so much money again if the same thing were to happen.

John_tracy is absolutely correct, once the weight of the cartridge is supported by the measuring platform the magnetic force is neutralised, as he says "think about it".
For me the most crucial issue is that the height of the measuring platform is exactly the same as the height that the surface of the record would be. Even small differences less than 1 mm can influence the force by >0.1 gram. This obviously depends on where the the centre of gravity of the tonearm is, these numbers refer to the Kuzma 4 point. I suspect that people who change the tonearm height for different thickness records, are actually hearing the change in tracking force, rather than VTA/SRA, since such small adjustments make hardly any difference to VTA/SRA but make a huge difference to tracking force.
I have found the Ortofon DS-3 (only available in Japan) to have a measuring platform, close to the thickness of an lp. The Clearaudio is much too high as are most of the others, including the el cheepose.

Whether or not the tracking force is affected by magnetic attraction depends on what the LOMC cartridge is attracted to. If it's the platform alone then yes, the scale will read true. But if the cartridge is attracted to internal components or the chassis of the scale then no, the cartridge will be trying to pull itself past the platform and the force will not read true.

And even if the cartridge is only being attracted to the platform, a strong attraction will collapse the cantilever suspension when the magnets within the cartridge body pull the cartridge onto the platform. It may weigh correctly, but the stylus and cantilever will be shoved up against the cartridge body. Trust me, I've seen it happen. :-)

My recommendation is to buy a good durable scale and make a platform adapter out of an old pre-paid "credit" card. I tried one of the low profile "audiophile" scales but it was fragile, not very consistent, and it failed after about 18 months. The scale I ended up with is a My Weigh Palmscale 7.0. It's built like a proverbial tank and is extremely consistent in VTF measurements. Unfortunately My Weigh doesn't carry it anymore but it's still available from many retailers. Their are other scales from My Weigh that would work as well. The prices are reasonable and they have a great warranty policy.

Here's a picture of the credit card platform adapter:
John Elison's example posted at VinylAsylum

You don't need to cut the card down if you don't want to. You can make the adapter so it sits a little too low and then adjust the height above the platter by adding shims.

Regards,
Tom