I'm scratching my records

After carefully setting the stylus pressure using a scale (to the lower end of the Lyra Helikon's recommended setting) on my JMW 12.5, the needle will 'skate' when initially placed on the lead-in groove until it 'hits' the music tracks and makes a horrible and damaging sound...(Now my Norah Jones LP has a minutes worth of 'tic-tic-tic-tic' :(

Is my stylus pressure too low, or too high?

Not all records do this, maybe 30%, and if I'm careful to get the stylus very near the music start and away from the edge as much as possible it helps.

Suggestions, comments, criticism??? All appreciated.

Damn, this analog is hard!

John
Atlanta, GA