Anti-Skate dial-How to set it? + a bonus question

Stringreen,
We disagree, obviously. I don't doubt your experience but it isn't consistent with mine. We use almost entirely different equipment so that's hardly surprising. I don't think either of us has a claim on the best way to set up every possible vinyl rig.

The Grace info came from tests done in the 80s on the 707 by Martin Colloms and Paul Messenger; following the dial gave twice the force indicated. I just bought a cheap electronic gauge from Hong Kong, showed a tracking force 1.5 grams more than the Shure. I previously had a $150 name brand one [which appears identical] that I am a dealer for. It quit working shortly after I sold it; after I took it back the importer did not respond to emails about it. If you have an electronic one you better have a weight to check the reading. I am with Harry W. and Martin Colloms on the value of anti skate. I always track at the top of the range also; in this case too much is better than too little.

Are you guys saying that the mass of the cartridge, varying from one to another, has no effect on skating forces nor their possible correction?
Only the vtf?
And what about stylus size and configuration (e.g. elliptical vs. spherical)?
I am not at all knowledgeable on this subject but it seems to me I have heard that these and a couple of other factors, too, are involved in skating phenomena.

No one has mentioned the use of test records and monitoring the relative Left channel vs Right channel output voltage levels. If the anti-skating force is not properly set, it should show up in different left vs right output levels. I'm not sure how sensitive this test is, but forces large enough to visibly deflect the cantalever should have an impact on balance levels.

Anti skate can be set by ear. Find a recore with some vocals and some decent dynamics. Then set the force to zero. This works best with someone helping you, but you can do it yourself if you're patient.

Listen to the right channel and you should hear it almost lower in dynamic volume than the left (a bit recessed). Slowly turn the tracking force up, I mean very slowly a wee bit at a time. Eventually you should start to hear the right channel coming up and getting closer to what the left channel is producing dynamically. Then as you get higher you should hear both channels sounding more dynamic and just better and better. Move the anti-skate up very slowly now.

At last you will hear a fairly dramatic drop off int he quality of both channels. You have now gone a wee bit too far. Back it off a notch and you have optomized your anti-skate.

Enjoy,
Bob