VTF gauge

@imhififan , thanks for that, the first option of the Riverstone product looks like a winner and should be easy enough to check for accuracy with what I use now. Enjoy the music

https://www.amazon.com/Riverstone-Audio-Record-Level-Turntable-Resolution/dp/B076DFZDS4/ref=asc_df_B...

OR  put the gauge on a adjustable height standoff

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q3XV1BH/ref=twister_B07Q32ZW8K

mc hit it on the head. Any Gauge will do you just make a stand for it that puts it at the level of the record. Just place the stand at the platter's edge with the gauge on top. I would use a small block of wood planed down to thickness. If you do not have access to a hand plane just place a sheet of 100 grit sand paper on a flat surface like granite and rub the wood back and forth till you get the right thickness. You could also cut card board squares out and glue them together until you get the right thickness.

I haven't run across any scale that you could shim as they have all raised the arm to high. I was just looking for one as the OP recently with no success. I like to set up with 180 gram vinyl to get my basic setting as I have small adjustments available as I fine tune ( by ear ) later. Enjoy the music

Don't waste your money. Measuring at the exact height of the album is not critical. What is critical is that you can make accurate measurements repeatedly. The manufacturer provides a VTF range  because each sample might vary slightly for any given model. You need to find out the VTF that works for yours in your system, with your preferences. Start with the median of the recommended range and move up of down. 0.1 or 0.2 g make a difference. To do that accurately, your scale needs to be on the same surface  (i.e. at the same height) each time you measure.

They all do. What you do, if its too low you shim under to raise it up. If its too high, you put it on a block of wood beside the platter. Either one of these is preferable because otherwise your next question is gonna be which one do I buy for 180g pressings and which for thinner and on and on endlessly on and on. The never ending saga then moves on to, doesn’t anyone make an adjustable height VTF gauge? And the answer is: don’t overthink it.