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Tracking force gauge

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I studied on this for a while, and while I would love to have one of the fancier ones, mass is mass. I had learned on the old balance beam scales and professor after professor beat the methodologies into my brain. Well with the advent of digital scales, it does seem to take some of the art form out of it, but I will acknowledge they are handy. It seemed to me the ones that were being recommended were awfully pricey given how simple a matter it is. So I looked at ones that didn't target audiophiles like us. Maybe victimize would be a better term. Some of the exact manufacturer and models that were selling for $5-$20 for general purpose (I get the feeling they are targeting drug dealers honestly) are selling for $35-$100 when labeled as "digital tracking force gauge" This is nearly the same one I bought and have had great success with it. Although the one thing I wished I had done was bought the calibration weight with it. I think they offered it for a buck or two if you got it with it. Not really clear it needs it but it's a wanna see kinda thing. The only real consideration I found was the thickness can be a problem with some TT's like my Denon but then I trust it to be accurate. With most of my tables, I just switch off the power feed and pull the mat so the height is about right, then gently set the stylus on the pan and read it. It ain't rocket science and with all but my duals, it usually seems my visual adjust is usually pretty darn close. The only downside, is I feel like I have to hide it, lest someone think I am dealing drugs!! "Honest officer, it is for weighing my stylus pressure!!"

http://cgi.ebay.com/100g-0-01g-Mini...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item25593353af

Not recomending this felllow btw, just happened to be one like mine. I got mine from someone state side. Just using it as a demonstration. And keep in mind the thickness thing. Measurements for open is what is important.
 
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I have one similar to the one that Shackman55 shows in that link. Thickness is an issue. I can't use it on my Dual. On my Pioneers I have to remove the platter to get the tonearm level while the stylus tip is on the scale. Haven't yet tried it on the SL1200. When I'm feeling patient, I break out the digital. When I just want to get the tracking force measured and be on with my set up I use the Shure SFG-2.

My 2 cents.
 
Maybe I'll just stick with the old Shure. It seems that the thickness of the digital scale could be an issue with my Dual 701. Probably not for my AR or Technics though. I guess sometimes less is more and it's better to keep it simple. I'll have think about this. Thanks for your input.
 
I too have one just like Shackman55, and it seems to work mostly fine, but I do have an issue with it. The metal plate is actually magnetic, and I notice that the cartridge does in fact have an effect went it is brought close to it. On my Pio PL-L1000, as I lower the stylus down onto the scale, there is a moment when the scale actually shows a negative reading of maybe a few fractions of an ounce before it touches down. I don't know how much of a problem this is or will be, as I can't imagine the coils in the cart exerting that much influence on the thing (vs gravity), but I'm not positive yet as to how it affects accuracy.
 
Shackman55 said:
I get the feeling they are targeting drug dealers honestly

Although the one thing I wished I had done was bought the calibration weight with it.
Click to expand...

It's funny you mention that. My wife calls mine my "cocaine scale". As for calibration weights...a new US penny weighs 2.5 grams. Seems like that would give you what you need to see with regard to accuracy.
 
Bob_in_OKC said:
It's funny you mention that. My wife calls mine my "cocaine scale". As for calibration weights...a new US penny weighs 2.5 grams. Seems like that would give you what you need to see with regard to accuracy.
Click to expand...

Yeah didn't want to name the drug, But I have to hide mine since I may know a fellow, who has a kid, who may have had a problem with such substances and might think it was a neat thing to take.
Anyway.. These digital units have a built in calibration system that requires a mass of a certain amount. Mine happens to be 100g some are 50g. To buy and ship the 100g it's only about $6 the 50g is about $2. It's one of those things where I know I will come across a calibration set at the thrifts for a buck one day and in the mean time it appears it is accurate enough for this job. Almost every time I have checked I have been within about .02g good enough for the application. I forget the term for it, but there is an acceptable level for error in most scientific work.
 
I would say a margin of error of 0.02 grams is far better than the required level of accuracy. Consistency matters more.
 
Mapleshade Nuance scale

My Slindy modified Rabco SL-8E for reasons I can't figure out - randomly started to add VTF. I began to doubt my 40 year old Transcriptors scale - I'd used this to set/confirm VTF on hundreds (maybe thousands) of tables over the years -so it owed me nothing. I was also very curious as to just how much "extra" weight was being cranked onto my cart's stylus assembly - a beam scale allows you to tell it's off and in which direction -but you have no idea by how much.
Purchased a "Phonophile Nuance Tracking Force Scale" from Mapleshade. This comes with a aluminium platform for the stylus to set on , adequate use and calibration instructions, a pair of 50Gram calibration weights and further instructions on how to make very small corrections to your VTF to compensate for elastomer ageing/wear in. The last point seems a little over the top - I'm willing to spasmodically fiddle with my equipment - but not to the point that it begins to seriously cut into my listening time or requires prescription medication.
This is a useful tool: 1.) It confirmed that my ancient Transcriptors scale was still within about 01 gram ( probably the limit of my skill/ability to set it up) of absolute accuracy.2.) It's quick and easy -you're simply more likely to check - because the Nuance is low stress to use.
Unfortunately by the time I got the Nuance the Slindy/Rabco had crushed (suspension collapsed) my MC cart -going to keep the Slindy Oracle table - but the two arms are going away.
 
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