VPI Classic III force gauge

Are you sure it's the gauge and not the cartridge causing the attraction?
Either way, it would be pretty dang stupid to use ferrous metal in a device of this type.
I don't recall any such problems dialing in the Blackbird on my Classic II.

Wow, there used to cases where the Shure gauge was made of the wrong metal (I had one) and attracted the cart, but I've never heard of a digital gauge doing this. I'd get in touch with VPI about it and NOT use it from now on.

I spoke to VPI about it and they said some of the scale will be magnetized because of the the manufacturing process of the stainless steel in the scale. They said they can exchange it for me if I send it in. I will do a follow up when I get it back.

It sounds more like the scale manufacture used the wrong type of stainless steel. Ferritic stainless steels are generally magnetic while austenitic stainless steels are not.

IME, some electronic and Shure gauges do react with magnets. Others don't. Brf's explanation seems the most likely.

With any new scale, it's prudent to test with a refrigerator magnet before using it to set up a phono cartridge. Aside from the risk of cantilever damage, any magnetic interaction will skew the results, making the scale useless for setting VTF.

I agree with Stringreen in principle. A scale can only get you in the ballpark. Listening is the only way to optimize VTF.

That said, some may find it easier/quicker to get to the nearest .1g or so with a stable weighing platform and a digital readout vs. fussing with a balance. I do, but if someone's comfortable with a Shure balance (or similar), that's fine too.