A weighty conundrum

You might want to settle the matter for once an for all by using a balance-type gauge, even if it's not the last word in resolution. They're quite inexpensive.

Thanks for the response. I do think I have one of these as well as one that came with an old Pioneer turntable I once had. Appreciate your time.  AB

arizonabob

... I do think I have one of these as well ...

I wouldn't be surprised! We oldtimers have all sorts of old audio accessories, cables, and tools stashed away "just in case" we might ever need them.

It’s impossible to say much about differences between your two digital scales, except that the one with the range from 0.1 to 5.0 g is the one to use. For best accuracy, you want the VTF you seek (or any measurement of weight) to be within a narrow range afforded by the gauge. A gauge that reads up to 350g (!) is unlikely to be so accurate in the range where you typically would measure VTF for any phono cartridge. The other issue is the position of the weigh pan (the area wherein you set down the cartridge in order to measure VTF). Make sure it is in the same plane or nearly in the same plane as that of the surface of a typical LP. If the two scales differ in that regard, use the one that places the stylus tip in the plane of a typical LP when measurements are made. This means, of course, that you want to set the scale down on the bare platter or platter mat, NOT on the surface of an LP which will inevitably raise the whole scale a bit too high.

I totally agree with you. As stated earlier, in order to get the arm load meter to the proper weight, the counter balance had to be pushed back to the very back of the tone arm. When I attempted to operate the automatic play, the arm became unresponsive. The (33.3)  speed light came on but the platter would not rotate nor would the arm come off the rest. I'm still looking for the teeter-totter type balance as suggested by 'cleeds'. By the way, the arm loader is closest to the horizontal plain of an LP. It will be interesting to see what a manual scale will register (if I'm successful in finding one!). Thank you for your response.   

Follow up on my "weighty conundrum". I found both my Ortofon scales and I'm sorry to report that I am unable to get a repetitive reading on any of them. The VTF changes on each measurement even at 15 second intervals...So it's off to see my repair facility in hopes of getting some type of explanation as well as a solution. Thanks again to those that responded, it much appreciated. AB  

To the good people that responded to this and to any of you that find this, I got an answer. My repair technician explained to me that the inner bearings for the arm have defaulted. This turntable has been such a great one (for me) for the last 23 years. The play options were the best, especially the 'locate' option which allowed me to move the arm across the record without having to physically touch it. My steadiness isn't what it used to be and saved more than one LP from drops or scratches. You audiophiles can say what you like about full automatic direct drive turntables (it was a Denon DP 47F), but for me I only wish I could find another new one. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Now, even in my state of grieving, I'll need to find a replacement...a sad day. 

One other important issue with your two scales: be sure their weigh pans (the platform whereon you place the stylus tip) is totally nonmagnetic. Most steel has at least some iron in it, and that can really screw up measurement of VTF, because the cartridge contains powerful magnets as you know I’m sure. One sign of this problem is the scale indicates negative weights when the cartridge is hovering over but not touching the weigh pan. Because the magnets in the cartridge are pulling the weigh pan upward. I bet your 350g scale has a ferrous weigh pan.